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The part of China that nobody visits 🇨🇳
Cycling Rural Yunnan: China's Hidden Countryside Adventure
Cycling across China - Ep. 3
In this video I am sharing my experience cycling across rural China, the countryside of the Yunnan province to be exact. Join me as I ride my bike through the villages in the mountains, encounter friendly locals and discover impressive landscapes & sights.
Cycling across China - Ep. 3
In this video I am sharing my experience cycling across rural China, the countryside of the Yunnan province to be exact. I ride my bike through the villages in the mountains, encounter friendly locals and discover impressive landscapes & sights.
Max Roving takes us on an unforgettable journey through rural China, specifically the Yunnan province, where he cycles through mountain villages, meets incredibly friendly locals, and discovers landscapes that leave him in awe. This isn't the China of tourist brochures; it's the raw, authentic countryside that few travelers ever see. From the kindness of strangers to the breathtaking vistas around every bend, Max's adventure is a testament to the beauty of off-the-beaten-path travel. His bike becomes a vehicle not just for movement, but for genuine connection with a world that feels both ancient and alive. Watch as he pedals through scenes that feel like a living painting, proving that the best travel stories are written on the road less traveled.
Cycling across China - Ep. 3
In this video I am sharing my experience cycling across rural China, the countryside of the Yunnan province to be exact. I ride my bike through the villages in the mountains, encounter friendly locals and discover impressive landscapes & sights.
Max Roving's latest adventure takes him deep into the heart of Yunnan province, cycling toward the Tibetan Plateau. After a peaceful wild camp in a lush valley, he packs up under an overcast sky, bracing for a monster of a day—50 kilometers with 3,000 meters of elevation gain ahead. The climb is punishing, with a relentless 15% incline, but the views from 2,300 meters above sea level are absolutely worth it. Along the way, Max encounters a group of local villagers day-drinking at a shop, sharing laughs despite the language barrier, and stops for cheap noodles in Pingchuan for just 5 yuan. The landscape is a constant wonder: terraced fields of spring onions, white houses dotting green hills, and a stunning turquoise reservoir that feels like a hidden gem. He braves windy tunnels, dodges landslides, and eventually caves to a storm warning, booking an $18 hotel room with a squat toilet but an incredible view over the water. Max reflects on how most of China's population lives in the countryside, not the glitzy tier-one cities, and that's exactly why he's here. It's a raw, unfiltered slice of rural China, packed with physical grit and genuine connection.
Join Max Roving as he cycles through Yunnan's rugged mountains and remote villages, tackling steep climbs, charming locals, and breathtaking landscapes. From wild camping in valleys to exploring tunnels and reservoirs, this journey captures the raw beauty of rural China.
Max Roving cycles through Yunnan's mountains, tackling massive elevation gains, meeting locals, and discovering stunning landscapes like green valleys and a tur
Cycling Across Rural China: Yunnan Mountains & Reservoir Views
0:44 Max tackles a massive 3,000-meter elevation gain over 50 km—prepare for steep, 15% inclines and bring plenty of water.
4:29 Landslides are common in Yunnan's mountain roads; avoid cycling in rain for safety, as Max notes the danger.
5:15 Look for small shops at mountain tops to buy drinks—Max finds one at 2,300 meters elevation for a refreshing break.
7:50 Wild camping can be tricky on steep terrain; Max recommends scouting public spaces like flat areas near roads for a safe pitch.
12:11 Affordable local food in Pingchuan: Max grabs noodles for just 5 yuan, a great way to refuel after a long ride.
18:30 Check weather forecasts before wild camping—Max books a hotel due to an incoming storm, costing only $18 per night.
0:44 Max tackles a massive 3,000-meter elevation gain over 50 km—prepare for steep, 15% inclines and bring plenty of water.
4:29 Landslides are common in Yunnan's mountain roads; avoid cycling in rain for safety, as Max notes the danger.
5:15 Look for small shops at mountain tops to buy drinks—Max finds one at 2,300 meters elevation for a refreshing break.
7:50 Wild camping can be tricky on steep terrain; Max recommends scouting public spaces like flat areas near roads for a safe pitch.
12:11 Affordable local food in Pingchuan: Max grabs noodles for just 5 yuan, a great way to refuel after a long ride.
18:30 Check weather forecasts before wild camping—Max books a hotel due to an incoming storm, costing only $18 per night.
0:01 Wild camping in Yunnan valley
2:10 Funny encounter with locals
4:40 Reaching mountain summit
7:32 Scouting campsite
11:38 Arriving in Pingchuan town
15:38 Spectacular reservoir scenery
18:17 Wind tunnel challenge
19:23 Hotel with a view
0:01 Wild camping in Yunnan valley
2:10 Funny encounter with locals
4:40 Reaching mountain summit
7:32 Scouting campsite
11:38 Arriving in Pingchuan town
15:38 Spectacular reservoir scenery
18:17 Wind tunnel challenge
19:23 Hotel with a view
travel vlogadventure traveltravel video健行off-the-beaten-path travelexpeditionhitchhikingsolo travelbackpacking中國旅遊china tourismchina solo travelchine bikepackingbikepackingbike touringbicycle touringcyclingbikepacking vlogcycling around the worldcycling chinatravel documentaryWhat was the toughest climb like?
The toughest climb was over 1,000 meters of elevation gain in one go, with a 15% incline, but the view at 2,300 meters was amazing.
How did you find the locals?
I met some hilarious locals day-drinking at a shop; we couldn't understand each other but shared a lot of laughs.
Where did you stay for the night?
After wild camping for a few nights, I booked an $18 hotel with a squat toilet but a stunning view of the reservoir.
