Explore the beauty of Pu’er Xishuangbanna China

Ride Description

26 riders just completed the 2026 China ride in February.  Rider Denise Weaver best described our wonderful experiences in her tripper report.  

“Bicycling China. Many of us might have wondered about China and maybe even thought about taking a trip there, but we all know how bicycling puts us “in touch” with everything, the people, the sights, the sounds, and the smells. If you are still curious about China, sign up for the next China tour and experience China on a bicycle. The first China BAC trip was a series of rides in and around Kunming, capital city of Yunnan Province, in southwestern China. Kunming is known for its year-round mild climate, ethnic diversity and natural beauty.  We bicycled through and visited ancient cities, said “Hello” to a million smiling Chinese, and shared a cold drink while sitting on the store proprietor’s only tree stump stool. I didn’t know what to expect riding a bicycle in China, but I had an unforgettable life experience.”

The 2027 ride takes us to a new and different area of China.  On the fourth day, we are bused south 231 miles to Pu’er City near the borders of Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar/(Burma).  On our next to last day, we will take a high-speed train back to Kunming.  Our two co-leaders, CJ Wang and Lee Wang have laid out a great itinerary with embedded information along with Ridewithgps routes.  The ride rating is a 3B, and there is two days outside of the 3B rating.

Itinerary:

D01: 1/15 (Fri) and earlier – Airport pickup & Bike Fitting

“Vienna International Hotel” (Two nights) -No. 289 Lujia Road, North side of the intersection of Guangfu Road and Lujia Road, Kunming.Tel: 0871-681648

D02: 1/16 (Sat) Bike Adjustment & Test Ride: Haihong and Caohai Wetlands 36km.  We will cycle through Kunming Haihong Wetland and Caohai Wetland to take photos and feed the migrating seagulls.

D03: 1/17 (Sun) Kunming to Jinning 71km.  We will cycle along the Dianchi Greenway, the most scenic section of the route. You will experience the stunning views of the Lake Bridge, Grass Bridge, and Mountain Bridge. We will cycle 30km to Haiyan Village for lunch, followed by 41km to the hotel.  Vienna Hotel (Jinning Yongle Branch) - Yongle Living Plaza, Chengguan Road, Kunyang Street, Jinning District. Tel: 0871-6669898

D04: 1/18 (Mon) Jinning to Pu'er - We ride the bus ride to Pu'er City, which will take approximately 5 hours, 372 km. Pu'er Fangzhou International Hotel - No. 9 Yuanding Road, Simao District, Pu'er City. Tel: 0879-2315666

D05: 1/19 (Tue) Pu'er – China Pu'er Tea Exhibition Garden – Laiyang River Forest Park - Bean Great Coffee Manor 60.2km.  We will cycle 24km to the China Pu'er Tea Exhibition Garden, and tour the garden and participate in Pu'er tea-related cultural experiences. Followed by 26km ride to Laiyang River Forest Park. Optional activities include coffee brewing and roasting workshops.  Bean Great Coffee Manor Nandaohe Village, Nanping Town. Tel:19187988104

D06: 1/20 (Wed) Bean Great Coffee Manor – Dadugang – Xishuangbanna-84km.  A 36km ride to Wild Elephant Valley. This section consists mostly of descents and flat roads. We will have lunch at the Rainforest Leisure Farm in Wild Elephant Valley.  Mekong River Jinglan Hotel East Tower (Two nights), Gaozhuang Starlight Night Market, Putti Avenue, Jinghong City. Tel: 0691-3088888

D07: 1/21 (Thur) Xishuangbanna One-Day Tour 36km.  Today we cycle and tour of Xishuangbanna, which includes Mandiu Village, Bore (Prajna) Temple, visit the General Buddhist Temple (Zongfo Si) and the Xishuangbanna Nationalities Museum.  In the evening we will explore the Gaozhuang Night Market, and enjoy the night views of the Lancang (Mekong) River, and immerse yourself in the ethnic culture and atmosphere of Banna.

D08: 1/22 (Fri): Xishuangbanna – Crocodile Valley – Monbala – Menghai  61km.  We will visit the Monbala Resort and Manhe Great Buddhist Temple on today’s route.  Tea Garden Holiday Hotel (Chating Holiday Hotel) No. 402 Jingguan Road, Menghai County Tel: 0691-3067188

D09: 1/23 (Sat): Menghai – Banzhang – Bulang Mountain  39km.  We take the bus to Lao Banzhang Village for sightseeing and tasting the “King of Teas. Afterwards, we ride up to Bulang Mountain Township. Along the way, enjoy views of ancient tea mountains and immerse yourself in the heritage of the "source of ancient tea trees." Lingming HotelNo. 12 Bulán Road, Menglong Town Tel: 0691-2466886

D10: 1/24 (Sun): Bulangshan – Manfeilong – Menglong Town 52km.  We bus to Bulangshan, then ride to Manhong Village, and enjoy views of various traditional Dai Buddhist temples along the way. In the afternoon we cycle to Manfeilong Village, a "National Ecological Civilization Village" with over 2,000 years of history. Here, you will visit the famous Manfeilong White Pagoda. Lingming Hotel No. 12 Bulán Road, Menglong Town Tel: 0691-2466886

D11: 1/25 Mon: Menglong Town – Menghan Town 52km  Zhuohe Wenze Hotel 20 meters south of Sinopec, Menghan Road, Menghan Town Tel: 19996600216

D12: 1/26 (Tue): Menghan Town – Manyuan Village – Menglun Town  50km.  In the morning we cycle to Manyuan Village, officially recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China. While there, immerse yourself in traditional Dai culture with hands-on experiences such as slow-wheel pottery and handmade papermaking. Jinjiangyuan Holiday Hotel West Gate of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Menglun Town, Tel: 0691-8717555

D13: 1/27 (Wed): Menglun Town – Chengzi Village – Mengxing Town – Yiwu Town  27km.  Cultural Highlights - Yiwu Heritage: Yiwu is the heart of the traditional tea industry in Mengla County. Tea was once the backbone of its economy, leading to a period of immense prosperity.  Historical Significance: Yiwu is one of the Six Famous Ancient Tea Mountains. It is the birthplace of "Pu'er Tea" and "Qizi Bingcha" (Seven-Son Tea Cakes), and it serves as the starting point of the ancient Tea Horse Road connecting Yunnan and Tibet.  Yiwu Hotel No. 20 Yiwu Town Street, Mengla County Tel: 0691-8745888

D14: 1/28 (Thur): Yiwu Town – Mengban Town – Skyview Tree (Wangtianshu)  77km.  Experience traditional Dai tie-dyeing and local coffee. In the evening, enjoy a bonfire party. Alianya Linxi Rainforest Resort Bubang Village, Wangtianshu, Mengla Town Tel: 18206919093

D15: 1/29 (Fri): Skyview Tree (Wangtianshu) – Manlongle – Manling – Mengla County  30km  Xi Yue Xing Cultural Tourism Hotel Building B10, Nanla Bay, Mengla County Tel: 0691-8749999

D16: 1/30 (Sat): Mengla County – Xishuangbanna – Kunming  (High-speed train to Kunming at 11:10 AM)Vienna Hotel (Kunming Railway Station Branch) No. 60 Beijing Road, Kunming Tel: 0871-68138666

D17: 1/31 (Sun): Return Journey - Transportation to the airport will be arranged based on individual flight departure times.

Health and Safety - Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised, and the group’s health and safety be placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader and be communicated to all participants. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness to ensure the tour can continue as planned.  

• Drink ONLY bottled water, the hotels provide all the bottled water you need at no cost.
• All of the hotels have normal flush toilets.  However, during the ride, only squat toilets will be available, normally without TP!

Ride Rating - The tour is rated a 3B.  Day 6, & day 13 are greater than 3,500’

Navigation RideWithGPS Files - A BAC RideWithGPS Event will be shared with participants 45 days before the start of the tour. If participants would like to use paper cue sheets, they will need to print them themselves. All participants should make sure if they are using a GPS device that it is capable of supporting Chinese maps or download ahead of time if needed.

Weather – Pu’er’s elevation is ~5,000’.  January is the dry season with less than 1” of rainfall with temperatures ranging from 38°F to 65°F.  A puff jacket is highly advised and appropriate clothing for cooler temperatures and rain. 

Vehicle Support: This self-lead tour does have sag support.  However, foreigners are not allowed to rent vehicles in China.    All riders are expected to ride on all move days, and should be able to handle their own bike repairs, at a minimum how to change their tire.  The leadership team will have communication radios during the ride for safety reasons.  There is a dedicated truck for transporting bicycles to remote starts or finishes on many ride days.  The bus will be used to transport luggage and participants to remote starts and finishes.

Lodging & Meals - There will be 16 nights of accommodation, 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and 15 dinners included.  Most hotels are multi storied 4–5-star hotels with one or two being 3 stars.  Most of the hotels have laundry rooms.  In regard to lunch and dinner meals, restaurants in China, serve anywhere from 8-14 different dishes of food to each lazy Susan table or hot pots like Bagna Cauda.  Many of the vegetable dishes are cooked with various meats.  Since these meals are prepared for the entire table, it is NOT possible to prepare specialty meals for those who are gluten intolerant, vegetarians, vegans or those who are allergic to peanuts or salt.  It is beneficial for riders to be able to use chopsticks!  If you can’t use chopsticks, be sure to bring multiple chopstick cheaters (a piece of plastic in which chopsticks are inserted to allow use of the chopsticks).  Bring multiple cheaters because it is improper to use your personal chopsticks to take food from the different dishes! 

Social Hours:  Each evening a group meeting will happen before dinner to discuss the next day’s route.  Participants will be expected to help procure drinks and snacks for HH.  Unfortunately, none of the hotels have bars.  Single serving containers of beer and wine are available for purchase at the local convenience stores (7-11) located by the hotels in single serving containers.

Logistics: VISA requirements - Participants are advised that there are many stringent VISA requirements for travel to China and are expected to do their own research. Participants can search: "China Visa Agent" for information. The search will also return agents who will expedite the process and eliminate the need to show up at an embassy, of course for an additional fee.

TRAVEL - You will lose a full day traveling west to Kunming.  Therefore, you'll need to leave on January 13, 2027.  The tour arrival date is January 15, 2027 in Kunming and ends in Kunming on January 31, 2027.  Kunming is 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard time, and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard time.  Again, you will lose a day flying west, but you will get it back flying home.  There are no non-stop flights from the USA to Kunming.  However, your 2nd leg should take you to Kunming.  All participants will be greeted at the arrival gate with a sign stating your name and you’ll be then transported to the hotel.  Since everyone’s arrival time will be different, the welcome dinner is scheduled for day #2.

Money – China is almost entirely a non-cash society.  Our everyday use of debit and/or credit cards will not work with small vendors and most stores!  There is no need to exchange currency because you will not be able to use it.  China/vendors do not use USA Apps like Zelle & Venmo, and any Google Apps.  However, they use Alipay and WeChat to pay for everything.  WeChat is also used as a way to communicate with each other similar to WhatsApp.  Everyone will need to be connected to WeChat.  I was able to lead my 2026 tour without having to use Chinese currency.  However, you should reach out to your credit card companies and inform them you will be connecting your credit card to Alipay and WeChat before leaving the states.

BICYCLES: -Your bicycle should have tires 28mm or larger in size.  Bike boxes will be stored at our starting hotel.  E-bikes and tandems are welcome.

Bike Rentals: - There are two options for obtaining bikes for this tour if you do not bring your own.

1. Bike rentals are available, please reach out to the ride leader to discuss the options and what would work best for the type of bike needed.  The bike rental fee is 1,500 yuan ~$220 -$242 for a non-E-bike and 3,300 Yuan ~ $485 -$532 for an E-bike.  The Yuan is currently moving between 6.82 to 6.88 Yuan per dollar.  We encourage riders to rent E-bikes if needed.
2. Some riders may want to purchase a folding E-bike for ~$600, and have the bike and battery shipped back to the US.

Cost & Administration - All expenses are in U.S. Dollars.  The deposit of $1,575 is due at signup, as well as the BAC fee of $150 and the solo supplement if you choose to have your own room.  The 2nd payment of $1,000 is due by 9/15/2026.  The exchange rate on 4/25/26 was 6.83 Yuan to the dollar.  I used 6.81 Yuan to the dollar, which is less than 10%.

Included:  This tour has a 4-person leadership team of which 3 are fluent in English and 3 in Chinese. The team consists of a ride leader, 2 co-leaders (CJ Wang & Lee Wang), 1 driver (Andy He).  

Not Included: Air travel, trip cancellation insurance, expanded medical insurance, spa services, laundry services, or bike rental are not included in the $2,625 ride fee. 

Singles & Solos Policy - It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until 9/1/2026 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $720 solo supplement to stay on the ride. If a single person pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate but must plan to participate without a roommate, if necessary. The ride leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  The solo supplement payment of $720 is due at signup if you signup as a solo and can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle: ● In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org ● Initiate a payment ● In the Message block, enter the name of your ride. If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett   nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.  

Cancellation Policy - The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost because of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and the final expense report has been completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.  

Ride Participant Responsibility - Please remember that BAC Ride leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride leader. While on the ride, support your Ride leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride leader’s decisions. 

Insurance Statements - BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website. Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine.

Sign-up - To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL) and pay the tour deposit and the non-refundable $150. BAC ride registration fee by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by phone 775-843-3960.