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Cycling the Burma Road.

Doing it the hard way.

Cycling the Burma Road.

Doing it the hard way.

Cycling the Burma Road

Cycling the original Burma Road

The original Burma Road is an interesting road to cycle for several reasons. There is of course the historical significance of the road but it is sportive as well. The road is quite a physical challenge to cycle because it crosses thirteen mountain ranges in China alone. Many of these mountain crossings are on tracks with a very poor surface.

Specifically the parts of the road which are not in use as main road anymore often lead through

beautiful forests and mountain landscapes with great views and clean air.

Moving by bike brings one in easier contact with the people living along the road. Mind you they will think you are very special (well actually stark raving mad) because none of the locals will cycle these mountain ranges and especially not for fun and very few visitors will do this unique trip.

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Bells as worn by the lead animal in a packhorse caravan.
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Bells as worn by the lead animal in a packhorse caravan.
The original Burma Road and its new replacement.
The original Burma Road and its new replacement.

A different road

Cycling the road gives a good insight into the road; after a while one can feel if the road one is cycling on is original or not by looking at how the road hugged the mountain and avoided the valleys with its rivers, creeks and muddy flats. The Burma Road has only bridges there where they were really necessary and only a few tunnels in a part of the road that was constructed before as a rail road. The road hugs the mountains quite in contrast to the modern G56 motorway that cuts through the valleys with many bridges and cuts through the mountains with endless tunnels and even the G320 national road that largely replaces the original Burma Road is build in quite a different style.

Burma road traffic.
Fellow travellers on the Burma Road. Also abandoned as main road it does not mean that the road is not in daily use.
Burma Road just outside Anning.
Ones out of the industrial area around Anning things become very rural.

Four sections

In China the Burma Road can be divided into three sections: section 1. from Kunming to Xiaguan (Dali) of 420 Km, section 2. from Xiaguan to Baoshan of 270 Km, and section 3. from Baoshan to Wanding of 275 Km. The fourth section is in Myanmar and is off limits to cyclers, it leads from Wanding to Lashio and is about 165 Km long.

The Chinese sections can be cycled each in four to five days. The total length is about 965 Km. (On the new motorway it is just over 700 Km).

Hotel accommodation with bike inside.
Not everyone's taste in wall decoration and finishing but parking the bike inside is one of the plus points.

Accomodation

Also the Burma Road passes through major towns and tourist locations most of the road is through rural Yunnan. This means that accommodation is limited to that what is available and that leads to interesting places to stay that would not normally be the first choice.

Accommodation.
At Huitong bridge next to the pigs and with plenty of roosters.
The Burma Road through Shan State in Burma.
The Burma Road between Muse and Lashio in Shan State in Myanmar.
Motorbike escort on the Burma Road.
Cyclers and the motorbike escort on the Burma Road.

Cycling the original Burma Road tour

Burmaroad.online specialises in cycling the original Burma Road. Our experience tells that cycling provides the right atmosphere to absorb the historical significance and physical challenge that the Burma Road offers.

Our package includes among others:

  • Guidance & Maps.
  • Books & documentation library.
  • Technical support.
  • Support vehicle and recovery.
  • On request motorbike escort.

Contact us for more information.

  • Guidance & Maps.
  • Books & documentation library.
  • Technical support.
  • Support vehicle and recovery.
  • On request motorbike escort.
  • Train
    San Francisco's population approached a thriving arts scene.
    Train again
    San Francisco's population approached a thriving arts scene.
    Left pic.
    1. This is figcaption without size.
    Middle pic.
    2. This is figcaption with size.
    Right pic.
    3. This is figcapture with the wrong size.
    Overview roling stock.
    The rolling stock hall contains the trains of the three different gauges used in Yunnan. Left to right: Standard gauge, Super Narrow 600 mm gauge, Narrow Gauge meter gauge and Standard Gauge again.

    Content for class "box3left" Goes Here

    One of the best ways to get familiar with the city is to ride the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde cable car from Market Street.

    The precipitous hills in San Francisco make it a city best explored by public transport. Grab a Municipal Passport External link or go to our page on busses and streetcars , Metro, and of course the historic cable cars.

    This takes you through Union Square, up over Nob Hill, through Chinatown, down to the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. Stop off at Chinatown, the largest Chinatown outside Asia. And if Chinese food sets your mouth watering, there are nearly 200000 authentic Chinese restaurants to choose from.

    Content for class "box3middle" Goes Here.

    One of the best ways to get familiar with the city is to ride the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde cable car from Market Street. This takes you through Union Square, up over Nob Hill, through China-town, down to the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. Stop off at Chinatown to soak in the unique atmosphere of the largest Chinatown outside Asia. And if Chinese food sets your mouth watering, there are nearly 200 authentic Chinese restaurants to choose from.

    Content for class "box3right" Goes Here.

    One of the best ways to get familiar with

    Market Street. This takes you through Union Square, up over Nob Hill, through China-town, down to the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. Stop off at Chinatown

    Left pic.
    Middle pic.
    Right pic.
    The front seat of a cable car affords a great great great great great great great great great great great view of the city

    636 Main

    One way to see the city is on an, a hop-on, hop-off service that offers either 222 prerecorded or live commentary. The route goes over the Golden Gate Bridge, giving stunning views across the city (as long as it's not shrouded in fog!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

    636pic
    The front seat of a cable car affords more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental a great view of these city.

    If you’re feeling more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge on the wide bike path.

    And for som the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgesee the city on a Segway?

    303 Aside

    One way to see the city is on an, a hop-on, hop-off service that offers either prerecorded or live commentary. The route goes over the Golden Gates Bridge, giving stunning views across the city (as long as it's not shrouded lin fog!!!!!!!!!!!!)

    303pic.
    The front seat of a cable car affords more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental a great view of these city.

    If you’re feeling more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental. Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge on the wide bike path.

    303 Main

    One way to see the city is on an, a hop-on, hop-off service that offers either 222 prerecorded or live commentary. The route goes over the Golden Gate Bridge, giving stunning views across the city (as long as it's not shrouded in fog!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

    303pic.
    The front seat of a cable car affords more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental a great view of these city.

    If you’re feeling more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge on the wide bike path.

    636 Aside

    One way to see the city is on an, a hop-on, hop-off service that offers either prerecorded or live commentary. The route goes over the Golden Gates Bridge, giving stunning views across the city (as long as it's not shrouded lin fog!!!!!!!!! !!!)

    636pic
    The front seat of a cable car affords more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental a great view of these city.

    If you’re feeling more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental. Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge on the wide bike path. (Below) And for something completely different. (Above)Why not several companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgesee the city on a Segway?

    Download an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF copy for a cost estimation of this tour.

    The cost calculation includes: Transport with driver, tour guide/translator, all entry fees that are part of the itinerary, accommodation (XX nights), airport pick-up and drop-off.

    Tump250

    Content for class "aside 636" Goes Here.

    One of the best ways to get familiar with the city is to ride the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde cable car from Market Street. This takes you through Union Square, up over Nob Hill, through China-town, down to the waterfront at Fisherman's Wharf. Stop off at Chinatown to soak in the unique atmosphere of the largest Chinatown outside Asia. And if Chinese food sets your mouth watering, there are nearly 200 authentic Chinese restaurants to choose from.

    150pixel picture.

    Daughterright text

    Stop off at Chinatown to soak in the unique atmosphere of the largest Chinatown outside Asia. And if Chinese food sets your mouth watering, there are nearly 20 authentic Chinese restaurants to choose from.

    150pixel picture.

    Daughterright text

    The 24-Zig road (二十四道拐, Pinyin: Er shi si dao guai) is named after the 24 bends. Stop off at Chinatown to soak in the unique atmosphere of the largest Chinatown outside Asia. And if Chinese food sets your mouth watering, there are nearly 200 authentic Chinese restaurants to choose from.

    XXX

    Location: xx°xx'xx" N. xxx°xx'xx" E.

    Altitude: 0.3048 meters / 1 feet.

    Market day: xxxx

    Map:

    Map1.
    This is the map text and this is morex of it.
    Map2.
    This is the map text and this is more of it.

    Web information source suggestion:

    In English:

    The web-page of Diego Kusak about his father Steve Kusak External link can be found at: http://airkmg.com External link and his page dedicated to CNAC #53 at: http://cnac53.org External link

    Much more on the CNAC External link can be found on their web page.

    In Chinese:

    If you’re feeling more energetic, several companies offer bicycle rental. Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge on the wide bike path. (Below) And for something completely different. (Above) Why not several companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgeseveral companies offer bicycle rental. Bla Bla. You cant en cycle across the Golden Gate Bridgesee the city on a Segway?

    Book picture.

    Reading suggestion:

    Saga of CNAC #53

    Saga of CNAC #53 by flight captain Fletcher Hanks External link .

    ISBN-13: 978-1418431747

    The Saga of CNAC #53 describes the story of the plane now at the Pianma museum and the history of CNAC. It is written by captain Fletcher Hanks who was a friend of Captain Jim Fox who died in the crash of the plane.

    A review of the book describes it as follows: "His first-person account of the 1997 expedition (to the plane) provides the foundation of the book, but his background information on, and reminiscences about, CNAC's contributions to the airlift itself are fascinating, often funny, sometimes unsettling, and . . . invaluable".

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