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ROAD - China
Cycling the Great Wall
Simatai section of wall
Grade: B
RIDE PROFILE Av. daily distance: 45km (28 miles) No. of days cycling: 9 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: surface 90% tarmac. There are some climbs and descents, but the support vehicle will be on hand. The pace is relaxed and the ride mixes activity and culture, with plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings. TRIP DETAILS Group: min. 8, max. 16, plus leader and local staff. Accommodation: 13 nights hotels (3 nights are basic). Food: 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners included.
Imperial tombs, quiet villages, vibrant Beijing and a fascinating ride in the shadow of Chinas greatest monument
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s China rushes headlong into the 21st century, its most famous icon remains the Great Wall, winding dragon-like across mountain ranges and deserts. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, this incredible construction took over 2000 years to build and stretches over 6000km - naturally we dont try and visit all of it on this trip! Our ride starts in Chengde, the former summer residence of the Qing emperors, and takes us past various sections of the Wall. These have been carefully chosen for their beauty, tranquility and absence of visitors. Some stretches are explored more closely on foot, along with tombs from the Qing and Ming dynasties. As well as seeing the great monuments, we experience different aspects of Chinese life first hand, as we cycle from rural areas with impressive mountainous landscapes, through fascinating small towns, and ultimately towards the historic centre of Beijing, home to the 2008 Olympics.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Fly to Beijing. 2 Arrive Beijing; transfer to Chengde. 3 Warm-up bike tour of Chengde, site of the Qing Dynastys Summer Palace. 4 Ride to Jingshanling, walk along the wall past many ancient watchtowers to Simatai. 5 See rural life first-hand as we ride/drive to Xinlong. 6 Cycle to Huangyaguan, whose name means Yellow Cliff Pass, and explore on foot. 7 Ride to the Qing Tombs, the final resting place for five emperors and fourteen empresses; transfer to Jixian. 8 Visit the 1000 year old Dule Si Temple; ride to Jinghaihu Lake. 9 Ride to Miyun, beside a huge reservoir. 10 Transfer into the mountains and ride, mostly downhill, past villages to Chang Yuan. 11 Ride to Huang Hua and a spectacular unrenovated section of the wall.
15 DAYS
12 Final days ride through rural villages; transfer to Beijing. 13 Tour of The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Maos Mausoleum. 14 Free in Beijing. 15 Fly to London.
Trip code MCB " 15 days Sat to Sat Trip Code Start End 2008 MCB815 12 Apr 26 Apr MCB838 20 Sep 04 Oct MCB840 04 Oct 18 Oct Flight inc. 1799 1849 1849 Land only 1249 1249 1249
2009 MCB915 11 Apr 25 Apr 1849 1249 No Local Payment Prices are £ sterling per person ¤ Recommended carbon offset £15 ¤ Optional single supplement £240 ¤ Land only start Chengde day 2, end Beijing day 15 ¤ Transportation costs from Beijing to Chengde if bringing your own bike £25 ¤ Insurance £83
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BIKE HIRE
China: Giant Challenger mountain bikes £60, paid on booking From UK: £125, paid on booking
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FOR TRIP NOTES AND AVAILABILITY ENTER THE TRIP CODE IN THE SEARCH BOX ON THE EXODUS HOME PAGE
To book call 0845 863 9626 or visit www.exodus.co.uk
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