Live Your Best Lives
Among the many ways to travel, there seems to be a niche way that is always overlooked. It does not go very far like driving, nor does it require measuring every inch like walking. It is cycling.
You Xiaoxia has used all his tricks to dig out 9 awesome cycling routes. It’s time to check out these hidden gem cycling spots around the four major cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Hangzhou!
"Ride your beloved bike, it's a place that never gets stuck in traffic." Enjoy moderate exercise, proper social distancing, a sparsely populated, beautiful natural oxygen bar getaway, and even perfect for romance! Let's experience autumn on two wheels!
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 30km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Qingshan Lake National Forest Park is located in Lin'an, only 38 kilometers away from Hangzhou.
A one-day leisure trip, cycling 30 kilometers around the lake, is very suitable for beginners.
Cycling through thousands of acres of rare water forests in China, the leaves are lush and green, which is pleasing to the eye.
Stop at the most beautiful section, spread out a blanket, gaze at the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, have a picnic by the lake, and feel the joy of sharing delicious food together in this beautiful scenery!
Days: 2 days / Mileage: 160km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐
Qiandao Lake, located in Chun'an County, Zhejiang Province, is a national first-class water body and is known as "the most beautiful water in the world."
Qiandao Lake is known as the "cycling paradise" for its unique and superior environment, and is the preferred destination for many cycling enthusiasts.
The scenery along the way is charming, dotted with scattered ancient villages. Crossing mountains, passing through tunnels, and circling mountains and lakes, the blue sky, lush mountains, and clear lakes, together with the inner cycling greenway, form a beautiful picture.
Qiandao Lake is a great place to challenge yourself. The 160-kilometer cycling route consists of countless small islands. Spend two days exploring the beauty of the islands.
Watching professional riders pass by, do you yearn for a thrilling, wind-breaking ride amidst the mountains and rivers? This place is also synonymous with delicious food, so why not miss the Qiandao Lake fish head soup?
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 40km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Gradient-colored redwood trees stand on both sides of the road. Ride through the tea fields and wheat waves of Mogan Mountain and feel the beauty of Mogan Mountain's mountain roads.
Pass through the renowned Naked Valley and envy the hermit-like lifestyles of its B&B owners. Stop at a tea plantation, unload your bike, and soak in the fragrant green tea fields. Stop at a ranch to see the cows, horses, and farmsteads.
In the afternoon, we arrived at the rarely visited Hekou Reservoir, a beautiful sight that 90% of visitors to Moganshan miss. After the ride, we returned to Moganshan Town and strolled freely through the Republican-era style streets, experiencing the European romance of the Republican era.
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 32km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Dongqian Lake, located in the southeastern suburbs of Ningbo, is the city's backyard. Described by Guo Moruo as possessing "the charm of Xizi and the grandeur of Taihu Lake," the landscape of eastern Zhejiang has fostered a unique cultural heritage.
It has the gentle beauty of West Lake and the vastness of Taihu Lake. It is common for Ningbo people to come to Dongqian Lake for strolling, cycling, picnics and so on.
The cycling route around Dongqian Lake is in excellent condition, though there are still some inclines. When you're tired, you can rest by the tea fields and climb up to the lakeside for a panoramic view. The gurgling water, the gentle breeze, and the beautiful lake scenery make everything seem so beautiful.
The air is filled with moist air, making you feel refreshed between breaths. The houses built by the water are faintly visible, and you can even see villagers washing clothes by the stream. It's a picturesque rural scene, so pleasant!
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 40km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
In the golden autumn season, Yangcheng Lake is not only famous for its delicious hairy crabs, but also for its beautiful scenery. You don’t have to cross the traffic and crowds, you can encounter the other side of Yangcheng Lake on a bicycle.
Cycling slowly, enjoying the clear water, blue sky and shady trees along the way, it is really relaxing and romantic to be accompanied by such beautiful scenery.
On the Yangcheng Lake Peninsula, every scene you encounter while cycling is enough reason for you to stop.
The cycling distance is relatively easy, and you can check out the classic central area scenery of Yangcheng Lake in one go.
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 50km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Without leaving Shanghai, you can see it all: the coastal highway, the internet-famous dam, the rice fields and windmills. In just one day, you can travel 50 kilometers to explore Hengsha Island and Changxing Island in Chongming.
Changxing Island in autumn is spread out from the rice fields. The countryside is spread out with intoxicatingly beautiful colors. Riding at the endless estuary, accompanied by windmills and embankments, is a great place to take photos!
Hengsha Island is a pastoral island that urban dwellers have long missed.
Farmlands, orchards, and green bamboos surround the red-tiled and white-walled village houses. Flocks of ducks float and play leisurely in the pond, and wisps of smoke drift from the village in the distance.
Coming to Hengsha Island is like walking into a Chinese painting with delicate, elegant brushwork. It is the season when oranges are ripe, and there are farmers selling fresh oranges on the roadside. Come and have a taste of this sweet and juicy autumn fruit!
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 23km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Taihu Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in China, with a lake area of 2,428 square kilometers. It borders Wuxi to the north, Huzhou to the south, Yixing to the west, and Suzhou to the east.
The annual Tour of Taihu Lake International Cycling Race attracts a lot of attention. As China's leading cycling destination, Taihu Lake is definitely a great place to ride!
The Taihu Ring Road offers the most beautiful 23 kilometers! Blue skies and white clouds, lush green mountains and clear waters, and the lake breeze allow you to gallop along the way amidst the picturesque scenery of lakes and mountains.
The villages along the way are nestled beside the lake, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The view stretches out to the vast expanse of Taihu Lake. This easy, moderately strenuous cycling route is suitable for everyone, making it an incredibly beautiful one!
People speed along with the bicycles, breathing the fresh air moistened by the lake water, and slowly their whole bodies begin to feel fresh.
Take a cycling tour around Taihu Lake! Stop along the way to sample Taihu seafood, watch the sunset from the lakeside boardwalk, and explore the delicious food in the cities along the lake.
Wuxi's fresh meat dumplings, Huzhou's thousand-piece buns, Suzhou's various dim sum, Changzhou's delicious hemp cakes... After your ride, reward your stomach!
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 40km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐⭐
Xishan is the abbreviation of Dongting Mountain. Xishan Island is the largest island in Taihu Lake and also the largest island in my country's freshwater lakes.
Xishan Island, known as the Pearl of Taihu Lake, has a long history. Hidden ancient villages can often be seen along the cycling route. The villages on the island are backed by green mountains in the south and face Taihu Lake in the north. The comfortable tranquility is incomparable to other villages.
We carefully selected the best sections of Taihu Lake, a racetrack-like road around the lake with expansive views. Stopping at a scenic section to take in the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains was a refreshing experience. You can also visit nearby farms to enjoy a variety of fresh seafood, including the "Three Whites of Taihu."
In the afternoon, we rode to Mingyuewan Ancient Village, where the movie "Silent Separation" was filmed.
In the evening, you can quietly watch the sunset at the pier, listen to the birds singing, look at the vast Taihu Lake, and savor the tranquility of the mountains and villages.
Days: 1 day / Mileage: 40km
Difficulty level: ⭐⭐
Qi'ao Island is a small island in Zhuhai that can be reached without taking a boat. It is very convenient to ride a bicycle directly to the island via a bridge. Located on the west side of the Pearl River Estuary, it is one of the ten scenic spots in Zhuhai.
The white stone streets paved with silver indemnity from the British, the unique oyster walls made of oyster shells, the quaint yet sacred Tin Hau Temple and the ancient fort all contribute to the unique character of Qi'ao Island. Everywhere you look, you'll find reflections of the islanders' daily lives, making it a truly unique place worth exploring.
Cycling slowly on the island, along the plank road of the mangrove nature reserve, you can deeply feel the vitality on both sides. Flocks of migratory birds have also begun to inhabit the renovated mangrove wetlands.
Although the island is small, it has a lot of delicious food. Many tourists who come to the island must order mud-braised chicken. As the name suggests, the chicken is wrapped in mud and paper, then put into boiling mud and roasted.
The aroma is so fragrant even before it is served. The scent of soil mixed with the smoky aroma soothes the fatigue of cycling. You must try it!
Someone said, "I love not only cycling but also myself living like this." After reading this, some people may still say that they don't understand this kind of passionate feeling. Then don't think about it, just do it. Let's go, let's go and break the wind together this weekend!
