16-Day Three Rivers Motorcycle Tour in Yunnan
Overview
This journey follows the contrasts of western Yunnan: the narrow Nujiang valley, the country around the Lancang River, and the Jinsha corridor on the return towards Lijiang. It reaches Bingzhongluo without making a direct mountain crossing from Gongshan to Deqin essential to the trip. The suggested route instead returns south and approaches the Meili region through Weixi, with the exact roads confirmed before departure.
Trip style: Private guided ride for experienced motorcyclists. Adjust the pace, rest days and overnight stops to your group before booking.
Rider documents and motorcycle arrangements
Tell us whether you intend to bring a foreign-registered motorcycle or use a motorcycle registered in China. These arrangements have different requirements. A rental-car temporary permit must not be assumed to authorise a rental motorcycle. Read our motorcycle licences, guides and permits guide before paying for a motorcycle or arranging flights.
Make the route fit your group
Tell VeroTrip which motorcycles you ride, your recent multi-day experience, passenger plans and comfortable daily riding time. Your trip proposal sets out the motorcycle arrangement, guiding, luggage support, hotels and return logistics before you commit.
Explore VeroTrip motorcycle tours or send us your riding plans. If you will use an overseas-registered bike, read our guide to bringing your own motorcycle into China.
Useful route planning
Motorcycle packing, bike fit and daily support · Choosing the season for a motorcycle route
Destinations on this journey
Dali · Shangri-La · Lijiang
Meals and services: Your written trip proposal lists the included meals, visits, transfers and support arrangements.
Image credits
Nujiang River winding through the valley at Bingzhongluo. Photo: Michael Woodhead. Source and photographer · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized for web use under the same licence.
Tree beside Erhai Lake near Dali. Photo: Mx. Granger. Source and photographer · CC0. Resized for web use under the same licence.
Meili Snow Mountain at dusk. Photo: Kevin Poh. Source and photographer · CC BY 2.0. Resized for web use under the same licence.
Songzanlin Monastery seen from the lakeside in Shangri-La. Photo: Colin W. Source and photographer · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for web use under the same licence.
Traditional tiled roofs of Lijiang Old Town with mountains behind. Photo: Mooncooy at English Wikipedia. Source and photographer · Public domain. Resized for web use.
Daily Itinerary
Meet the team in Dali and settle into the overnight base. Discuss your experience on narrow roads, loaded-bike handling and wet surfaces. The evening is for an easy meal and document preparation, with no expectation of riding immediately after a long flight or train journey.
Overnight: Dali.
Finish the confirmed licensing and motorcycle handover arrangements. Check tyre condition, luggage security and the fuel plan for the less-serviced days. Take a short permitted-road familiarisation ride only when all requirements are met, and agree how the group will communicate if separated.
Overnight: Dali.
Travel towards the Nujiang valley on the approved motorcycle route. The distance and timing depend on permitted roads, so motorway-based estimates are not used as the riding schedule. Reach Lushui in time to check the motorcycle and prepare for the valley stages ahead.
Overnight: Lushui.
Ride north alongside the Nujiang, allowing for settlements, works and local traffic. Stop at safe lay-bys rather than on blind bends. The day’s interest is the changing scale of the valley, and the overnight in Fugong keeps the northern journey from becoming one prolonged transit stage.
Overnight: Fugong.
Continue deeper into the valley towards Gongshan. The guide checks current road reports before departure and adjusts pauses around any controlled sections. Keep the afternoon flexible for arrival and a short walk near the hotel; a long side excursion is not assumed after the riding stage.
Overnight: Gongshan.
Visit the Bingzhongluo area on roads confirmed accessible to the group and its motorcycles. Choose established river and village viewpoints, respecting local access rules. Stay in the northern valley for a second night, with the actual base determined by accommodation and the following day’s road conditions.
Overnight: Gongshan or Bingzhongluo.
Retrace the main valley road, using the return journey to stop where conditions and parking are better. This is intentional: the route does not depend on a direct Gongshan–Deqin mountain crossing being open. Leave time for maintenance and a comfortable finish rather than adding an improvised pass road.
Overnight: Fugong.
Continue south towards Lushui. Refill supplies and review the next stage away from the Nujiang corridor. If weather has delayed the northern section, this is a point to reconsider the remaining itinerary with the team rather than recovering time by riding after dark.
Overnight: Lushui.
Move east towards Yunlong on the locally confirmed road connection. This stage is part of the practical repositioning between river valleys. A town walk is optional after arrival; the route briefing should explain the next day’s timing and any roadworks that affect access towards Weixi.
Overnight: Yunlong.
Ride north towards Weixi with a generous allowance for secondary roads and village traffic. Confirm fuel stops before setting off. The landscape shifts towards the mountain country leading into the Lancang corridor, while the overnight provides a break before continuing towards Deqin.
Overnight: Weixi.
Continue towards Deqin and Feilaisi along the approved approach. Avoid treating an online shortcut as proof of motorcycle access or suitable surfaces. Reach the viewpoint settlement in daylight and settle in for a possible evening view of the Meili range, subject to cloud.
Overnight: Feilaisi.
Keep a second night at Feilaisi for a slower morning and local visits agreed with the guide. A nearby village or valley excursion is optional if road conditions, access and the group’s energy allow. This is not a trekking programme, and no remote village access is promised in advance.
Overnight: Feilaisi.
Follow the confirmed highland road back towards Shangri-La. Plan stops around safe parking and the group’s comfort at elevation. After arrival, the motorcycle can stay parked while you explore Dukezong on foot or simply rest ahead of the final two stages.
Overnight: Shangri-La.
Spend an unhurried day in Shangri-La, with Songzanlin Monastery or another confirmed local visit according to your interests. This is also a useful maintenance and laundry stop. A rest day is kept in the programme rather than automatically converted into extra riding.
Overnight: Shangri-La.
Descend towards the Jinsha valley and continue to Lijiang on the approved route. A managed gorge viewpoint can be considered when open; access to a road stop does not confirm access to a hiking trail. Return the motorcycle and complete the agreed inspection after arrival.
Overnight: Lijiang.
Transfer to the airport or railway station according to the confirmed arrangement. Allow for the location of your hotel and any luggage movement through pedestrian streets. Additional nights or onward journeys can be arranged separately if you wish to stay in Lijiang.
Overnight: Tour ends.
