North Yunnan
Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian
or through Zhaotong
There are basically two regions cyclists visit in north Yunnan. The first one is the area around Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian. The second one is less visited but a good alternative to cycle into Sichuan: Sonming-Zhaotong. Lijang, Dali and Zhongdian (Shangri-La as it is officially known nowadays) are obvious travel destinations. Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian have a strong minority culture and this is fortunately preserved very well. Zhongdian gives you the opportunity to go either westwards to Tibet or north into west Sichuan. It's a beautiful road from north Yunnan into Sichuan. The alternative, especially in late autumn or winter is following a road north and a bit east to Sonming and Zhaotong, a very little traveled road but believe me, it's worth the 3 weeks or so you need to reach Sichuans' capital Chengdu. The beauty of these alternative roads to Sichuan lie in the remoteness and the wide open lands, hills and views. Especially the area of Dali, Lijiang and Zhongdian has lots of culture to be explored while the road to Sonming and Zhaotong has more of landscapes and ordinary Chinese life to be found. If you have time, take this road. I have written a few pages with more specific information about above mentioned roads. Back to the top of north Yunnan Back to the main Yunnan page Back cycling in China Back to Bicycle Adventures.com homepage
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