We cycle from the lively busy streets of Guilin out into a countryside dominated by Karst peak formations towards Xingping. The first 30km are on flat terrain following the Li River and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. We pass through Daxu a picturesque village with cobbled streets that dates back to the Ming dynasty. Next we cycle a steep downhill of around 3km into Cao Ping, a perfect spot to make our stop for lunch.

This afternoon our route takes away from the river and we begin a steep 10km climb, followed by a further 1km push up to the peak, then it’s a drop of 6km. Over the next 10 km we have 2 further climbs and a speedy drop. The final 10kms of the day take us over 2 more gentle peaks into historic Xingping where once again we’re alongside the Li River. The 20 Yuan note features a scene of the Li against mountain peaks at Xingping. The Bird’s View Pavillion sits on one particularly dramatic peak overlooking Xingping. If you have a head for heights you can climb up here to enjoy the view. If you prefer to say at ground level you have the option to take a scenic river trip in a small boat.

Accommodation: Guest House
Cycling distance: 63 km
Meals included: B, L, D