advice on cycling from Chengdu via Kangding to Kunming

That is a fantastically scenic and culturally interesting trip! I rode it in the other direction in 2005, see www.arizonahandbook.com/Thai_China.htm</a> for my story and photos. You have several options to get to Litang--my route swung north via Barkam (Maerkang), but you could take the more direct route over the mountains via Wolong and Danba or the busy and less scenic highway via Kangding. Note that Emei Shan is off the main routes and that there's a closed area nearby; you might do best to make a sidetrip by bus from Chengdu to trek the mountain.

Although you might be able to find a place to stay each night, I recommend carrying light camping gear. You should hit a restaurant and shops each day, so there's no need for a stove. Do carry warm clothing and good rain gear in case a storm passes your way.

From Zhongdian to Lijiang, I highly recommend the backroad (It's mostly paved) via Baishuitai and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Most people take the train or bus between Dali and Kunming, but it's a good ride and the freeway carries most of the traffic, though roads get busy near Kunming. There's also some great cycling in the mountains of southern Yunnan if you are continuing on to Laos or Vietnam.

In Chengdu, try to meet China's cycle touring expert Peter Snow Cao. You can contact him through his website, www.bikechina.com</a>. You'll get some route ideas from the tour itineraries and travelogues on his site. Also, I recommend www.mark-ju.net</a> for China cycling information.

Congratulations on the Urumqi-Chengdu ride! I rode it last year--in the other direction--and it was quite an experience. That story is at www.crazyguyonbike.com/doc/asiaoneyear</a>.

They were working on the Wolong road (a section between Danba and Chengdu) 2 months ago. Long queues and buses were diverted elsewhere. Don't know about now.

Han Girl