Baihe Valley, Beijing

    Located in Miyun, Beijing, Baihe Valley is one of the best areas for outdoor activities in the capital’s vicinity, with as many as 45 established sports venues and cycling routes. The area, best known as a location for climbing, is adjacent to a sandy beach near a river.

    Between Yunzhou Reservoir and Tangquan Reservoir, there is a cycling route which not many people are aware of. The 300-kilometer valley is called the “art gallery” with mountains, water, flowers and plants.

    Mountain bikes are required to make the roads negotiable and camping facilities and lights are needed even if you don’t intend to camp, because you may get lost.

    Transport:

    Fly to Beijing from Shenzhen International Airport and take a long-distance coach to Tanghekou and then start the journey.

    West Lake, Zhejiang Province

    West Lake is a famous freshwater tourism spot in the historic city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.

    The lake has inspired poets and painters throughout the ages with its natural beauty and historical relics, and it has been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

    One of the best ways to enjoy the lake is to ride around it. The circumference is only about 20 kilometers and almost every sight you see while riding round the lake is a beautiful one.

    And if you get hungry, you can stop for a traditional local snack or have a cup of fine Longjing tea, a type of traditional Chinese green tea.

    Bikes are easy and cheap to rent.

    Transport: Fly to Hangzhou from Shenzhen International Airport and take a taxi to the lake.

    Huizhou-Hangzhou track,

    Anhui and Zhejiang provinces

    Huizhou-Hangzhou track is China’s third most famous ancient road after the Silk Road and Ancient Tea Road.

    It is about 25 kilometers and connects Jixi County, Anhui Province, with Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It was once an important road for transporting salt, tea and local food.

    Built near mountains, there are valleys and streams along the road with strange rocks and beautiful greenery.

    The road has long been popular with hikers, but it is also an interesting challenge to people who are good at cycling. Advanced mountain bikes are needed and cyclists have to carry the bikes while ascending the stairs during the journey.

    It is better to start from Jixi.

    Transport: Fly to Hefei from Shenzhen airport and take a coach to Jixi. Fly back to Shenzhen from Hangzhou.

(Wang Yuanyuan)