6-Day Motorcycle Riding Itinerary – Retracing the Long March

What is the Long March?

• The Long March is a monumental feat in human history. The Central Red Army traversed 14 provinces, crossed 18 mountain ranges, and forded 24 rivers, marching through grasslands and snow-covered mountains over a distance of approximately 25,000 li (about 12,500 kilometers). In October 1935, the First Front Army of the Red Army arrived at the revolutionary base in northern Shaanxi, successfully joining forces with the Shaanxi Red Army.
• From June 1935 to August 1936, over a period of 14 months, nearly 90,000 troops from the First and Fourth Front Armies of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army crossed the Changde and Dagu Snow Mountains. It was at the foot of Dagu Snow Mountain, in Maogai, that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held the historic “Maogai Conference.

What is Dagu Glacier?

In 1992, scientists discovered the Dagu Glacier via satellite. In August of the same year, they conducted a week-long expedition to the glacier and concluded that it is the world’s lowest-altitude, largest, youngest glacier, and the one closest to a city. The Dagu Glacier Park spans an area of 33 square kilometers and features a combination of modern glaciers and ancient glacial landforms. Currently, the Dagu Glacier hosts 13 modern mountain glaciers with a total area of 6.04 square kilometers. The largest icefall in the area is 30 meters wide, with a drop of 700 meters.

What is Hongyuan?

Hongyuan County is under the jurisdiction of the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. In 1960, Premier Zhou Enlai named the county “Hongyuan,” meaning “the vast grassland traversed by the Red Army during the Long March.” The county’s territory is divided between the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins, with Chazhenliangzi serving as the watershed divide.

6-Day Long March Route Cycling Itinerary

Day 1: Chengdu – Mao County (170km)

• 512 Earthquake Memorial Site
• Hometown of Yu the Great
• Ancient Qiang City of China

Day 2: Mao County – Dagu Glacier (128km)

• Dagu Glacier
• Heishui Colorful Forest

Day 3: Dagu Glacier – Moon Bay (140km)

• Yakexia Snow Mountain
• Chazhenliangzi
• Yellow River Moon Bay
• Nighttime Grassland Stargazing Photography

Day 4: Off-Road Grassland Cycling (100km)

• Hongyuan Grassland Crossing

Day 5: Moon Bay – Guer (190km)

• Zhegu Mountain
• Guer Hot Springs

Day 6: Guer – Chengdu (225km)

• Taoping Qiang Village
• Zipingpu Reservoir

Main Attractions During the Cycling Journey

Dagu Glacier

Dagu Glacier is not only a place of stunning natural beauty but also rich in historical significance, offering a vivid display of local customs and traditions. The vibrant traditional attire of the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups adds color to the landscape, while the Yakexia, Changde, and Dagu Snow Mountains, along with the “Luhua Meeting Site,” stand as silent witnesses to the arduous journey of the Chinese Red Army during the Long March. Visitors can immerse themselves in the unique culture and lifestyle of the Tibetan and Qiang peoples.

Hongyuan Grassland

Famous for being part of the route taken by the Red Army during the Long March, Hongyuan Grassland is a significant site for red tourism. Here, you can not only enjoy the thrill of cycling through vast open spaces but also explore the hidden secrets of the grasslands. It’s an ideal place to deeply experience the lifestyle and cultural traditions of the Tibetan people.

Inclusions

• Accommodation Booking
• 4 nights in high-standard local hotels with standard twin rooms (rooms shared by two people; you may choose your roommate or follow the guide’s allocation. A single room is available at an additional cost).
• Meal Arrangements  
• Alternating between regular meals and specialty local cuisine along the route.
• Ticket Booking
• Tickets for China Ancient Qiang City and Dagu Glacier.
• Support Services
• The luxury group includes a support vehicle and refreshments; the premium group does not have a support vehicle but includes emergency supplies.

Exclusions

• Personal Expenses
• All drinks, entertainment, and other personal expenses during the trip.
• Vehicle Expenses
• Fuel, tolls, and other expenses for personal or rented vehicles.
• Additional Costs
• Extra entrance fees and other services not included in the main itinerary.
• Vehicle Transport Fees
• Shipping and packing fees for picking up or returning vehicles in different locations.
• Optional Services
• Any additional optional services during the trip.
• (Note: All costs are subject to the terms and conditions of the contract.)