Mountain Biking in China: Riding Dali, Lijiang & Shangrila – Yunnan MTB Recce
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Jamie seemed to know all the trails like the back of his hand – he was able to give us a run- down of all the upcoming trails, a heads up on all the terrain features, and was able to adapt trails as we went. He also gave us both riding and travel recommendations for the rest of our NZ trip. Sure, you could have had a “similar” experience guiding yourself with Trail Forks, but the comfort of having a very experienced guide in an unfamiliar area allowed us to get a ton of extremely fun riding in without much brain power. Having Jamie as a guide was absolutely invaluable, and I would highly recommend booking with New Zealand Mountain Biking if you want to get the ultimate NZ mountain biking experience.
This September, I packed my bike and headed north into Yunnan Province, China, to see whether it could be the setting for a future New Zealand Mountain Biking trip. The idea was simple: explore the trails, check the logistics, and find out if it would be the kind of adventure worth bringing riders along for.

Over 10 days, we explored three very different riding zones:
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Dali – Lakeside singletrack, cobbled old-town charm, and rolling climbs that open into endless descents.
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Lijiang – Riding in the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with trails that mix history, flow, and loose alpine rock gardens.
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Shangrila – High-altitude passes, yak pastures, and epic descents into traditional Tibetan villages.
Each location offered something unique – not just in terrain, but in culture and the riding experience. It wasn’t just about the trails, but the food, people, and moments between the rides that made the recce so special.
Already, I’ve got two riders lined up keen to be part of this journey if we make it happen. The plan would be a 10-day guided MTB adventure, fully supported, linking together the best trails, food, and cultural stops across the region.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, let me know – and watch this space for updates as the idea takes shape.
In the meantime, back here in Rotorua, summer is heating up. Coaching sessions are filling quickly – especially for those holding NZMTB vouchers. If you want to dial in your skills before the holiday season, now’s the time to book so you don’t miss out.
📅 Check out available sessions and book here: https://newzealandmountainbiking.com/tour/mtn-biking-skills-clinics/
At New Zealand Mountain Biking, we run epic mountain biking tours across the scenic North Island, New Zealand. We also help riders build confidence and skills in our MTB and eMTB private lessons on the legendary Rotorua trails. If you race or you want to get into some racing and you want to improve those skills, get in touch for some lessons!
You can learn more about our trips here to book your ride today!