The Great Wall

The Silk Route journey begins in Beijing, China's political and cultural 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, Beijing contains 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites so it's best to arrive early if you plan 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 our entry into the Mongolian homeland as we follow one of the ancient Silk Road trading routes to Ulan Bator.

The landscape now gradually changes as the Chinese countryside transforms into the renown Gobi Desert, home to many famous Silk Road cities. Once the cyclists pedal into Mongolia proper, this harsh environment, where temperatures can change up to 35C in 24 hours, will test the riders' resolve but may also reward them with some spectacular vistas and perhaps even views of gazelles, wild asses and Bactrian camels. A rest day in the Mongolian city of Sainshand will allow the cyclists to head out in the Gobi to explore such sights as the reconstructed monastery of Khamaryn Khiid or the spiritual temple of Bayanzurkh Uul. Four more days of desert cycling will bring the riders to historic Ulan Bator and the end of this section.

Highlights

• Tour starts at Beijing's Summer Palace
• The Great Wall
• Gobi desert
• Mongolia's capital city Ulan Bator