The Great Wall

This section begins in Beijing, China's capital, not to mention the 3rd largest city in the world. With a rich history stretching back over 3,000 years, riders will enjoy exploring its fascinating museums and historic buildings. In fact, the city features 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites so it's best to arrive early to do some exploring. Once the cycling begins, the riders will head northwest out of the vast metropolis and will soon encounter another of the world's wonders, the Great Wall of China. Designed to keep the Mongol hordes at bay, it now serves as a marker for the tour’s entry into the Mongolian homeland as we follow one of the ancient Silk Road trading routes to Ulan Bator.

After crossing the border, the cyclists will trade in their bicycles for a ride on the fabled Trans-Siberian Express. The train will pull out into the Gobi Desert, a harsh environment where temperatures can change up to 35C in 24 hours but with some spectacular vistas and possible views of gazelles, wild asses and Bactrian camels. The riders will cozy up for the night in their sleeping cabins, using the samovar (hot water machine) located in each car to make coffee or instant noodles and visiting the restaurant carriage to sample the local cuisine and meet their fellow travellers. After a good night’s sleep, the riders will gaze out the windows as the vast plains slowly transform into the modern city of Ulan Bator, the end of this exciting section.

Highlights

• Beijing's Summer Palace
• The Great Wall
• Gobi desert
• Trans-Siberian Express