China for me was epic
Better than Thailand, Laos and Vietnam together!
Hard to describe exactly but the devil is in the detail :)
Cant wait to go back one day and cross whole Tibet with long term visa!
I thought I am not going to like it but boy I fell in love in Yunnan..
Amazing landscapes (the higher you climb the better it gets)
Real mountains (no jungle and bush like in south east Asia)
Relaxed and extremely helpful people
Clean towns. Big towns are rally clean of trash.
Excellent road and traffic infrastructure
Relaxed traffic (you can ride as you like).
Passing through red light with a mobile phone in your hands is completely normal :)
Cheap food
Komoot often took me on quiet and small roads while Chinese Amap navigation recommended mostly busier roads.
I love China so much I cant wait to come back!!
On first look on the map it seems I have barely touched China (since it so big:) and this may be true but I was there for 2 months and with all the elevation I have gained, I have still covered a lot of ground.
China has something for everybody, from high Tibetan plateau on the west to coastline on the east and big modern cities all through the country.. there is no way you can be bored in China!
First day in China and I was immediately blown away . The contrast between Vietnam I came from and China was immense!
Picture do not do the deed! The town on the Chinese side of Lao Cai border town was modern and looking no less than like I was in Switzerland. Clean streets, modern buildings, modern traffic signalization, everything clean, beautiful green parks and other modern quirks al around (excersize equipment, cycling paths, running paths, public toilets..).
Big cities in China are really clean. And you can see people working and cleaning streets. Something that was unimaginable when I was in Vietnam.
Country side in China was less clean unfortunately.
Public
toilets contain pictures with people who are in charge of keeping
them clean.
Path was following Red river after I entered China from Vietnam.
Flowers in Yunnan were really beautiful and the more I climbed to higher elevation, the more I kept seeing different kinds of flowers.
First part of the journey in China went from border with Vietnam to city of Kunming.
I used default Komoot cycling navigation and I was not bored on the road any single day.
Found a nice camping spot one evening.
Find wild camping spots in China was a breeze after Vietnam, (in which was almost impossible to wild camp even far north in the mountains because there were people everywhere).
Here, I had to push my bike on one super steep gravel single track a bit higher up, but I was rewarded with nice views, had a shelter over my head (always useful even if its not raining).
There was even a water available though a random hose in the middle of the field, which enabled me to take a shower in the evening :)
Random passing Chinese farmers on their motorcycles didn’t mind me being here in the morning while I was still waking up.
Several police controls on the main road after entering China.
Nothing serious, just standard check and an opportunity to get drinking water for me.
Interesting looking flowers fallen from the three covering the road on many places.
In more detail
Its called Malabar silk cotton tree or red silk cotton.
Small cities you cross in the country side
Traditional Chinese New Year decorations
At one point, route leaves the rives and makes a big (but very beautiful) climb to higher altitude on about 2000m, where Kunming city is located.
Of course, there are other routes available but I was just following Komoot recommendations at this time and was not disappointed.
This was already on higher elevation (around 2000m)
Temperatures have dropped a bit (which is good)
Chinese street lamps.
Soon you get lots of such vehicles, because agriculture is very developed here and these vehicles are suited for all kind of tasks.
In China I was able to try new fruits and vegetables (which I havent seen before).
This was Melon pear fruit (Pepino melon)
In China I stopped mostly noticing temples (after months of gorging in them in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam).
Simply they weren’t present and noticeable as such, or maybe the areas where I was riding havent contained many of them.
Funny Chinese cargo tricycle, I loved them :)
Big cities in China were immaculately clean!
Often there are many parks in the city full of grenery and everything looks spotless.
Interesting often there places were quiet without people.
The same can be said for many street in China towns. Its a strange looking thins (something I would almost not see in Europe).
The first day I entered China, I met two foreigner long distance cyclists from Netherlands and they told me a joke.
They said that some places in China look like a scene from The Walking Dead where there are no people anywhere on the streets and its all quiet :)
Chinese streets are filled with scooters, mostly of them being electric.
The same is true for cars.
This results in traffic situation often being very quiet.
I have never experienced such a moments, where everybody are sitting at traffic lights and almost make no noise!
This is called Rice cake (or some form of it).
I though I was buying Tofu (which is popular in China and I have been eating it in Vietnam a lot as well).
However this was different, it was very heavy, it looks like a compressed cooked rice. Its a good carb meal!
On my was too Kunming, I passed though some small town and while I was standing on the street, a Chinese couple approached me and we started talking.
Since Chinese New Year was approaching, they offered me to stay at their house for a New Year!
However they were not located here, but in the next town which was not close. We used translation to communicate and I remember they were from the town called Mile, which showed to be 60 km from here.
This seemed like a good timing, since I had whole afternoon to cycle to them.
Later I found out this was a translation error, it was not 60 km, it was 60 miles, so it ended up being 100km to reach them :)
Its often normal for streets in big Chinese cities to be empty like this.
It looks even more strange in person :)
China has beautiful decorated parks
Blueberries kindly given to me by random people.
Later it become very popular and I was buying them a lot.
At first in Yunnan they were cheaper, I remember buying a hole bag (maybe almost a kilo) for 4 or 5 euros.
But later somehow become noticeably more expensive.
What it did remain cheap was black mulberries (we call them Kupine in Croatian).
I was eating them a lot, but they are not as tasty to me as blueberries :)
And you hands remain unwashable dirty after eating them :)
The town of Mile.
I called this Big trouble in little China.
Smaller town I passed though, went in some shopping center to buy food, and ended up in the crowdest of places, where people sit all over the places and everything was so unimaginable busy, and I was there a tall white person with no other foreigner in sight (as in most Chinese cities).
Smaller country roads in China are marked as Y roads.
There roads are the most quietest and were the most fun to ride with a bicycle.
I called them white block roads, because often they were built from connected blocks and you could feel bumps as your ride (which didn’t bother me at all, just a noticeable thing).
Funny error in translation on some Chinese signs:)
Amazing combination of colors in the country side. Green grass, brown dirt and gray rocks.
Small towns in country side were joy to ride through!
Vehicles with exposed engine bay (I guess for easier maintenance)
Round zucchini
Paprika
Chinese streets were filled with red residue after New Year days.
These looks like flowers but they are actually remains of fireworks on the streets (which were a lot in China during New Year days which last 7-8 days)
Even some cactus plants can be found in China!
Better watch where you crash with your bicycle :)
I loved door designs and entrance to yards in Yunnan region!
Moving though China without speaking Chinese can be challenging.
Elderly people very rarely speak some English at best.
However many young people can speak English and if you need a conversation or help in any way you know where to look.
Some random woman selling blueberries cheap on the street.
This whole bucket cost about 40 yuan.
This was the first time I bought blueberries and gorged myself.
Later then became more expensive and not so desirable any more :(
Lots of caterpillar tunnels, which are used for crop protection.
Big climbs on quiet countryside roads
Pink peach blossoms
White blossoms from almond tree
Huge traditional Chinese incense sticks found on the streets everywhere in the time of New Year.
They were literally more than a meter long!
People usually had 2 in front of their door entrances, one of each side.
I really enjoy this part of Yunnan, navigation lead me over quiet countryside roads, passing through small villages and towns.
Food was cheap, wild camping was super easy. Temperatures were just great (mid 20)
Poor looking towns but warm heart atmosphere and people.
Peach blossoms
After a week or so riding since I entered China, I arrived in Kunming, bigger city in Yunnan province in south.
Kunming was classic big , clean , modern Chinese city.
Lots of big parks, big streets, intersections, and in some parts almost nobody around (no people, no cars :)
In Kunming I met Alex , an American who lives with his girlfriend here.
I spend several days resting in Kunming.
Alex and his girlfriend who provided me to stay in theirs apartment while I was in Kunming.
They live in one of those big modern buildings.
My bike was parked in the basement.
Big empty intersections in the city. You wouldnt believe until you see it.
In Europe I am never used to seeing such things. Makes you wonder where are all the people and cars.
Beautiful Yunnan flowers part X
Coral tree
One of the highlights of my trip in China was these quiet countryside roads and small towns I rode through for days on end.
Traditional haystack storage
Blooming fields of rapeseed (canola)
Markets can be found in small towns where people sell food (and other stuff) cheaply.
Strawberries and blueberries
Enjoying rest on lovely lake
Golden Lotus banana (Chinese dwarf banana), it resembles a lotus flower
Huge Chinese cinnamon (cassia bark) found in supermarket
Flame Vine (Orange Trumpet Vine)
Locals drying daikon radish (kariboshi daikon)
Fixing puncture in my air sleeping bag (most fun you can have).
Luckily it has only happened twice on my trip so far.
Working in cafe (usual place to rest during the day and do some work)
A girl in store wanted to take a photo of me while I was not looking.
She dint realize I was aware of that and took my own phone to film her, which resulted in both of us smiling :)
Chinese houses (it may not look something on their own but when viewed in their own environment they have a style of their own).
Chinese people were quite reserved for approaching foreigners, unlike I was used to in previous countries (especially Vietnam).
Here, they were looking at my bicycle parked outside a store, while I was shopping for food.
Sweet little scooters often equipped with these add-ons for warmth.
A random temple (forgot the name) on the top of the hill I stumbled across.
A 10 minute hike to the top (while leaving my bicycle downstairs) offered a scenic atmosphere.
Temple is closed and there is nobody there but the atmosphere is gorgeous.
Temple details
After Kunming, I redirected my route towards city of Dali.
Big climb over mountain pass around 2750m of elevation just before Dali.
Little bit of graveling at the top.
City of Dali sits next to Erhai Lake.
I took a rest here few days.
Rising above Dali is Cangshan Mountain range which spans about 50 km in length with 19 peaks over 3500m of elevation.
I was looking forward to do some hiking there however it turned out the mountain was closed (which was surprising). It turns out winter closure is due to fire hazard (since it dry season).
Resting in the super cheap hotel room in Dali (30 yuan)
Night photos from Dali.
Dali is a mixture of old and new surroundings (something for everybody :)
In Dali I met with Vera, originally from Netherlands who has been living here for several years now in her own house in quiet old part of town.
Bike mechanic in Dali who help me fixing my brakes, and some other issues.
There are a lot of bike shops in such towns. If you want immediate help, the trick is to find a small shop with single owner who will most of the time jump right in the work.
Big shops will usually just take your bike and service it later on (which I am not a fan of).
Better view of Cangshan mountain range.
Mango. I havent been eating mango at all since I arrived in south east Asia.
Reason being is I have been eating so much mango last year (2025) when I was in Africa that I have had enough of it :)
Plus it was dirty cheap in Africa (you could get whole bucket for 2 $ at places), so now it feels like overpaying!
Typical street in small town in Yunnan
Shaxizhen Ancient Town, located between Lijiang and Dali.
Nice little town to visit, although it seem highly touristic.
Market in Shaxi
After Shaxi Climbing another hill on my way to Lijiang
Goats eating trash on the side of the road. (Lot of that as well)
Looks like cucumber. Actual name is bitter melon.
Landscapes just seem to amaze you!
Some small observatory I passed on my way to Lijiang.
Just outside of Lijiang
Funny signs in Chinese public toilets
Town of Lijiang.
I came here to extend my visa (like many others).
But not only that of course, this is entrance to Tibet plateau .
Lijiang is quite little town situated on about 2500m of elevation (so already significant altitude)
Hostel I stayed in.
It was very affordable to stay in Lijiang, which I didn’t expect as it seems like important tourist destination.
Sweet waxy corn
Working in my room in hostel.
Map of attraction near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which is located close to Lijiang.
This is already a serious mountain sitting at 5,596 m above sea level.
Some hiking was possible there but I wasnt fond of current weather (mountain tips were in clouds) so I decided to just cycle close to this mountain range climbing over a pass at 3200m of elevation.
This gave me enough excitement and views for that day.
Otherwise, lots of tourist attractions on the side of this mountain are available (most of them are only accessible with cable car).
- cable car lift to viewpoint at about 4500m to view the peak itself.
- cable car lift to visit to several meadows ( Blue Moon Valley, Yak Meadow)
Mechanic in Giant bike shop in Lijiang cleaning my headset, which became very creaky right after Laos (I wonder why :D)
Took a hike to one peak called Wenbi mountain (3,430 m ) located southwest of Lijiang.
You cycle up to 3000m then hike the rest of the way.
On the picture above view from the road climbing up to Wenbi mountain on Lijiang.
In the distance there is Jade Dragon Snow mountain showing in white.
Path to the top is heavily decorated with Tibetian prayer flags.
Finally some hiking!
The path is nicely developed, and views from the top of Wenbi mountain are excellent!
Met some young Chinese guys at the top!
Leaving Lijaing after my visa was ready.
Wood sculptures
I took a mountain pass after I left Lijiang which climbed to 3200m then descended into the valley on another side.
Road was quiet, very picturesque and ended up as good choice instead of hiking I initially planed because the weather was not good higher up in the mountains.
View back to Lijiang
Lake on the top of the pass.
Huge descent on other side and I needed to change my brake pads again (lost count).
Canyon on the other side with Jinsha river.
This road G214 leads to Shangri-la which was my next destination I was really looking forward to.
Again, funny Chinese translation in some public toilet.
Met young Chinese long distance cyclist riding from Dali to Lhasa.
He was lightweight and had fast pace, something I could not manage with my luggage.
On top of all, I woke up today with sore throat.
And this is first time I felt sick at this whole trip which started in December 2025.
I should have rested today, this would be a smart thing to do.
But I decided to continue. Today I was climbing from 2000 to over 3000 m of elevation.
Not a day to be sick.
But I decided to take it slow.
Still, I was filling ill coming as day went on.
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Chinese cyclist kindly left me some energy bars.
It took me whole day to climb to next plateau at about 3200m.
And by then I really felt getting fever and regretting not taking a rest day.
Because now I was left with some fever at over 3000m of elevation which is already serious altitude.
To make matters worse, there was not a hotel here anywhere close by, and I desperately needed a hot place to stay overnight.
Temperatures at these altitudes drop around zero at night.
I found shelter in the evening in some abounded building, to at least hide from the wind and not sleeping directly outside.
But the night was rough. I had a significant fever by now. And I realized I did not had medicine like paracetamol (which I usually carry ) to help me with fever.
I barely slept all night.
Next morning I woke up and it was raining outside. I was still sick but slightly better than yesterday evening. Still, I had almost no sleep, couldn’t continue and needed warm shelter again to rest.
As I was cycling through local village , I saw a Tibetan woman outside and asked or pleaded (however you want to call it) if she can accommodate me in here home because its freezing cold outside.
Luckily for me, I found myself quickly inside a house in front of super warm wood stove.
I still felt pretty bad but this was a salvation!
If only I had this yesterday.
Only now I can feel all the consequences of being sick on 3000 m of elevation with rain outside.
I was served all kind of Tibetan food, including milk tea.
All the food here contained a lot of fat (and not a healthy fat for that matter) but none of this bothered me now, as I was only tried to get better.
Tibetan woman cooking pork on the fire (grease overload)
Having dinner together with a whole family. (still sick as hell)
Weather finally got better and I was able to move out.
I thanked this family a lot for keeping me in their home for half a day. I would literally freeze since I still had a fever but I was feeling even better now.
Bought Chinese medicine called Fenbid for fever (since I forgot mine).
I hope I wont need them on this trip any more :)
That night I was lucky to find shelter in small wooden house on the roadside.
I felt much better than previous days and didn’t feel the need to search for hotel this time.
Temperature outside was standard about zero °C at night at these altitudes but this small shelter kept me right warm and protected from the wind.
I didn’t even use the tent , just put sleeping mat and bag right on the carpeted floor.
And my bike was so close , I didnt even had to get out of my sleeping bag to grab stuff from my bags.
Thats was I call 10/10 shelter!
Woke up next days well rested , from previous mostly sleepless night.
Rolling in Shangri-la finally, city I was looking forward to visiting, after Lijiang.
I was not sure about my next plans but so far I have been really satisfied with my choices, especially since I have climbed to higher altitudes.
Huge statue right outside Shangri la
Curious Chinese people seeing me and my loaded bike wanted to take photos.
Shangi la seems to be quite touristy, but mostly I only saw Chinese people there (coming from longer distances).
I dont remember seeing foreigners while being there, or maybe I forgot.
That remind me the ever since I climbed to higher altitudes, there are selling oxygen canisters (for people who are not used to these altitudes) and there are a lot of trash around, including these oxygen canisters which people throw after use.
Its a shame because at the beginning I remember seeing China as quite clean country (compared to horrible Vietnam), but it seems lately there have been a lot of trash roadside even here, which is disappointing :(
Gorgeous decorations can be found in this town.
In fact, whole town is really worth visiting (despite lots of tourists).
Even more gorgeous is this local traditional clothing, which many seem to be wearing, and I really liked this!!
There are many shop around this town sewing and selling this clothing, and many young and grown up people are wearing it.
Main square where lots of people seem to be gathering.
View towards Shika Snow Mountain (4500m) which is under snow.
A cable car leading on the top of this mountain exit (developed for tourists ) but also a walking path from Shangri la exist leading to the top.
When I was riding towards Shangri la I was looking forward (if weather permits) of hiking this mountain, however due to sickness I cough, and now, even more importantly , realizing snow level is at about 4000m, this was not possible for me.
Wild horses at these altitudes are common. And not just the horses, but also cows and cattle.
There are yak here as well, but I am not sure if I saw them..
I really loved Tibetan houses in here.
Weather was not the best here, but I guess this is normal for such higher altitudes. Currently is March (still a dry season) here but its not the sunny weather I was hoping for.
This begs the question, how is the weather actually for crossing Tibet plateau now
I met so many long distance cyclists ever since I entered China, that its unbelievable to me :)
And most of them I met here, at higher altitudes.
I havent considered Chain as bike touring country.
Thailand, Laos And Vietnam certainly didn’t have any long distance cyclist (except all foreigners of course)
My plans have changed after Shangri la.
I wasnt really aware of what awaits me after Shangi la (which is a my mistake).
I still had about 3 weeks of visa time until II reach Chengdu city (from where I fly to Japan).
Only in Shangi la I actually looked at elevation profile of my next plan to Chengdu and realized how wrong I was.
What I didnt realize is that after Shangi la (which lies at 3200m) , road climbs immediately to 4000 m and stays at that elevation for long! (red route).
Not only it climbs to 4000 m ,but also it goes over several 4500m passes.
I was absolutely not prepared for that. First, I didnt have sufficient clothing.
I desparately needed better and waterproof socks at least, but also other items.
I did looked at the shop in Shangi la if I could find something suitable (at least sock part), but its hard finding quality stuff on the road, more so for me because I am tall and require XL clothing and equipment.
And my sleeping system could not handle this (I barely managed to survive art 3000m). I would be forced to take accommodation all the time.
On top of all, I was still sick when I reached Shangi la and took me 2 days to recover at minimum.
This made me little bit sad realizing I cant do the route I wanted and enjoyed Tibetan plateau so much.
I was till thinking about going nevertheless (despite the fact I knew I would be freezing) but I decided to do the smart thing and change my route to blue one, which avoided these high elevations and descended down to normal heights.
Now that I am writing this from Chengdu ()while waiting fro my plane) I can say I am disappointed in myself a bit for no trying, but I will never know how would all this end if I tried going through Tibetan plateau to Chengdu.
Still, China is one of those countries on my list which I will be back to again for sure, and then I will plan to cross whole Tibet (as much as its possible for foreigners).
I descended back down from Shangri la and went through famous Tiger Leaping Gorge canyon and Jinsha river.
The road passing through canyon is nothing to write home about. In fact its crowded with busses and vans transporting tourists back and forth.
But the landscapes are nothing but amazing!
To the end of the canyon view towards other side.
I was waiting to finally pass through the canyon because the traffic was just to annoying (and I would not go back) , despite the beautiful nature.
The actual tiger monument next to the road, commemorating the story of tiger that escaped hunters by jumping across the 25-meter-wide Jinsha River .
After the canyon road, I found myself again on quiet countryside roads and small towns (which I enjoy a lot even since I entered China)
Wild camping at random abandoned house high in the mountains
Century plant (Agave americana)
Huge climbing at this part of the journey led me over several mountains and each day I had to climb almost 2000 m of elevation.
I was enjoyable to me, but my body was on the limit (and that was at 2000 – 3000m of elevation).
If I went Tibet route, I would probably not survived :D
At least not at this pace I was riding towards my next goal of reaching Chengdu in time for my flight.
Amazing landscapes brought me once again next to Jinsha river, which was breathtaking!
Floating bridge crossing with nobody around (except occasional car passing).
Its a huge bridge, probably 100 m long, and the whole structure doesn’t seems the most modern (its secured by steel cables on both side).
Still, if it can hold the cars, it will hold my bike for now.
Road continued to follow the river with out of this world scenery.
It reminded me of south America (not sure why :)
Locals grown oranges here a lot.
Poinsettia plant
Canyon road continues
Settlements
At one point my navigation left the river and I started climbing again over another mountain.
Cactus again
While I was climbing the road through some local small town, children kept following me and we were both racing (sort of) to the top of the road above the town, where of course I had to take a picture of exited kids seeing foreigners.
I wonder often how many strangers passes through some of these lost roads (so to call them) in the middle of nowhere and how often people see foreigners here.
I definitely didnt meat any foreigners (from what I can remember) during my time in China here.
Accidental river crossing
aMap is official Chinese navigation and while I have this installed and often used for navigation in cities, I defaulted back to mostly using Komoot (which I am used to).
While aMap will be most up to date to Chinese roads and conditions, Komoot still works well in China.
However, this was one of the times it actually lead on the path which is clearly a dead end, as can be seen in the picture.
aMap was actually showing road end here.
I realized that after I cross a kilometer of gravel road, but I was too lazy to go back and all I needed to cross the river to be back on main road.
And the river looked shallow to me.
So I took my bike and started crossing. At first few steps everything looked normal, but then towards the end, I sunk so deep over my waste and almost took a swim together with my bike and bags, which would be a disaster.
My height helped me here as someone smaller would already be almost in to his head :D
Somehow I managed to pull it through and found myself on the other side, with my shoes and pants completely soaked.
However, temperatures were mildly outside (around 20°C) so it was not a big problem (aside from being wet)
Gorging in black mulberries since they are so cheap!
My trustworthy top tube bag has reach the end of its life :)
It has served me well for many years but the zipper could handle no more.
It was cheap aliexpress bag to begin with.
Still, it was waterproof enough and I keep many of my electronics indie (lights, chargers…)
Its time for a new one now and since ordering stuff online is so easy in China (using Taobao) I got myself a new one very similar.
A random Chinese family stopped by me as I was passing through some mall town, brought me some gifts (apples, water).
And of course wanted a photo together which I can never deny!
Just before reaching another valley on my way to Chengdu, road conditions turned pretty bad.
I can honestly say I have been enjoying everything so far in China (despite changing my plan to go over Tibet).
But from here my riding has reached low point.
First, I lot whole days passing this ugly construction road, while few tunnels along the road.
I even had to sleep that night outside, because I couldnt reach other valley.
I managed to sleep ok, away from the dust next to the river.
However the whole construction part was ugly as best.
And I still have nightmare memories from some construction roads I has to deal last year 2025 when I was in Africa..
Dusty tunnels with ugly traffic inside
Funny how at fuel stations (where I was often charging my mobile phone half hour a day) there wes always such police / anti demonstration equipment available :)
And often only young girls were working at these fuel stations.
So I had a funny tough of were these employees are running to grab this equipment and then fight other people trying to rob a fuel station (or for whatever this is meant to)
Following the valley further.
This road was high traffic and I disliked this the most.
The scenery was still ok, although not a nice as I used to from where I came from.
But there was a lot of traffic on this G road (forgot the road number), and drivers seem to started using horns in traffic a lot.
I definitely don’t remember such situation since I entered China.
This is the main reason I hated Vietnam.
Not that this felt similar, it wasnt ,but it was way over what I can tolerate :(
Never felt more mad at myself for not taking the Tibet route than now.
A random hotel I found myself in a small town.
I usually camp outside most of the time but I run out of electricity once in a while (when I use my powerbank).
Plus you need a proper rest (few days of hotel room) every once in a while, otherwise you burn out on a bicycle.
This was some average priced hotel in Sichuan region (70 yuan per night, cheapest room).
Mind you, Yunnan region was somehow cheaper (at least the part I went through since I came from Vietnam).
I was getting cheap hotels in Yunnan even for 30 yuan, although not all the time.
Friendly hotel lady prepared me free meal on my way out.
I avoided brown looking eggs though :)
Blossoming cherry trees
Again meeting long distance Chinese travelers, who were very exited to see me!
Too bad I dont speak Chinese.
Some snowy peaks around this valley.
At least something to enjoy since the traffic was shite.
Another disappointment was waiting for me on this section of the road.
At this stage, I planned to visit another famous town at higher altitude called Kangding which was double for my direction towards Chengdu without too much deviation.
I was looking forward to this, and seeing little bit more of Tibet higher elevation.
I was following a canyon road which was a nice change from previous road , with much less traffic.
However I had a cold awakening once I reached one of the tunnels on this road.
It appears this road was closed (despite Chinese aMap navigation leading me though here).
I was standing here for some time before I even realized what is happening.
Few locals with their vehicles were standing here waiting as well so nothing was suspicious too me, I though there is some schedule when the traffic opens for each side.
Winter protection of fruits
Following Qingyi river towards city of Ya’an gave some nice views.
Somewhere sin here I entered Giant Panda national park.
Weather was pretty bad so I was freezing.
Some photos from the city of Ya’an, in the western part of Sichuan province, just below the Tibetan plateau
My hotel room in Chengdu.
One again It proved hard to find cheap hotel room if you are foreigner. I was rejected in several before I found this for 70 yuan, but room was small.
Still, I was going to stay in Chengu for 5 days before my flight to Japan, so it had to be affordable.
Some impressions of Chengdu, capital of China Sichuan province.
Having lunch with Aru, a Chinese and also a vivid bicycle traveler before, in love with Tibetan plateau.
He was showing me many photos from his past travels.
He took me to some fancy restaurant, where we have chicken cooked in coconut water (giving it a sweet taste). Then some beef meatballs with green vegetables and rice.
He was driving me in his fancy electric Chinese car / suv (forgot the mark of the vehicle ).
Vehicle tech was out of this world (real autonomous driving, soft close doors, incredible camera system all around, just to name a few..)
And this is much cheaper here to purchase such a car, in Europe this would cost much more.
Clean parks and empty streets (a description of big modern Chinese cities)
Packing my bikes for the flight from Chengdu to Osaka Japan.
One thing I hate the most when traveling by bicycle is preparing fro the flight. But you cannot avoid this.
I bought Air China ticket which seems generous with checked luggage option (2x 23 kg boxed allowed) but rules for maximum dimensions where still a real question mark.
I did call Air China but was told confronting information to what I was I told from other travelers, so I aimed to pack my bike as small as possible, even if this meant disassembling everything on the bike.
By now, I have already been almost 2 months in China.
A bit disappointed by not going over Tibetan plateau, but otherwise China was great, nothing less than the peak of my journey so far!
I will be back to China once I come back from Japan once again, but this time in the north around Beijing Area and Inner Mongolia.
Overall, China was cheap (food, accommodation everything..), relaxed traffic (you can ride however you want, even in opposite direction:), relatively clean country, especially big cities.
But China is also vast and you could spend many years wondering here.
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