Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" 60km Loop: Cycling Guide Near Chengdu

Located just a one-hour drive from downtown Chengdu, the Dayi “Xin-Ma-Tai” 60km loop is one of the most balanced day-ride routes in Sichuan. It combines ancient town culture, river valley roads, a steep climb up Tianche Slope, and a fast 24 km descent along the newly resurfaced Dashuang Road — a mid-distance circuit made for intermediate cyclists who want a scenic day trip outside the city.

Our team last inspected the full loop on 11 August 2026.

Before you ride

Quick answers

How hard is the Dayi Xin-Ma-Tai loop?+

Moderate. 60 km with about 600 m of climbing, topping out at 1,160 m — accessible to riders with basic road fitness.

How long does it take?+

4 to 6 hours including stops, starting and finishing in Dayi town center.

Is an e-bike enough for the full loop?+

Yes. Most modern e-bikes complete the 60 km and 600 m of climbing on a single charge in eco or tour mode.

What safety gear is mandatory?+

Front and rear lights. The Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel lacks complete interior lighting and carries truck traffic.

Route Overview

The loop gets its playful local nickname from passing through Xinchang Ancient Town, Tianche (Ma) Slope, and Chujiang (Tai) Town — a wordplay on the popular Chinese travel phrase “Xin-Ma-Tai” (Singapore–Malaysia–Thailand). Starting and ending in Dayi town center, the circuit weaves through lush bamboo forests, red-sandstone river canyons, and traditional rural farmland before ascending toward the foothill tunnels near Xiling Snow Mountain.

The route naturally divides into two halves: a scenic, undulating first half along river valleys and historic settlements, followed by a sustained climb, a tunnel section, and a long, thrilling descent back into Dayi.

Route Breakdown

Section 1: Dayi Urban Area to Xinchang Ancient Town — 0–8 km

Flat asphalt and an easy warm-up leading into Xinchang Ancient Town, famous for its preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and local culinary specialties like Xuewang (duck blood stew).

Section 2: Xinchang Ancient Town to Tianche Slope Summit — 8–21.7 km

An undulating valley road along the Huotiao River gorge, with turquoise water and red sandstone cliffs, followed by the day’s sharpest effort: at kilometre 20 you hit Tianche Slope — 1.7 km at an average gradient of 8%.

Section 3: Tianche Slope Summit to Chujiang Town — 21.7–30 km

Rolling hills to the midpoint of the route at Chujiang Town. This is the primary resupply point for food, water and restrooms before the final climbing zone.

Section 4: Chujiang Town to Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel and back to Dayi — 30–60 km

A sustained climb past kilometre 34 up to 1,160 m at the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel, a dark tunnel passage, then a smooth, high-speed 24 km descent on the newly repaved Dashuang Road back into Dayi.

Distance, Elevation and Difficulty

Sixty kilometres with roughly 600 metres of cumulative climbing rates this route Moderate. It is fully accessible to riders with basic road cycling fitness, with two sections that deserve respect:

• Tianche Slope. Short but sharp — 1.7 km averaging 8%. Pace your effort early; there are few flat recovery spots until the summit.
• Maximum altitude. The 1,160 m high point is not enough to cause altitude sickness, but temperatures near the top can drop noticeably by season.

Road Surface and Traffic

• Surface quality: mostly clean, high-grade asphalt. The final 24 km along Dashuang Road has been recently repaved and rides exceptionally smoothly on descents.
• Traffic hazards: heavy commercial trucks and industrial vehicles frequently use the approach road to the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel.

Who Is This Route For?

Recommended for

• Intermediate road cyclists and gravel riders on smooth tires
• E-bike riders seeking a scenic day ride with moderate climbing

Not suitable for

• Complete beginners with no group-ride or road-sharing experience
• Riders uncomfortable with high-speed downhills alongside vehicular traffic

Recommended Bike and Gear

• Bike: road bike, gravel bike, or performance e-bike.
• Lighting (mandatory): high-lumen front headlight and bright red rear taillight for the tunnel.
• Safety gear: helmet, full-finger or padded gloves, cycling shorts, UV sun protection.
• Tools: offline navigation device or phone, two water bottles, repair kit — spare tube, tire levers, compact pump or CO2.

Resupply and Pacing

• Stop 1 (km 8): Xinchang Ancient Town — quick water top-up or local street food.
• Stop 2 (km 30): Chujiang Town — the crucial resupply point. Fill all bottles and eat solid food here; commercial stops are scarce over the remaining 30 km.
• Pacing: hold a steady endurance pace through the first 20 km to preserve energy for Tianche Slope and the final ascent to the tunnel.

Best Season and Weather

• Best months: April through October.
• Rain caution: river valley roads become dangerously slick in heavy rainfall. Avoid monsoon showers and the period immediately after storms, when rockfall is possible along valley walls.

Navigation and Safety

• Offline navigation: mobile coverage is unreliable in deeper valley pockets and on mountain passes. Download offline GPX tracks before leaving Chengdu.
• Descending: keep braking margins on blind corners along Dashuang Road and stay in the right lane at all times.

Riding It With CycleQuest China

CycleQuest China offers tailored support for international riders attempting the Dayi loop — see Chengdu bike rentals for road bikes and e-bikes delivered to your start location, with optional paid add-ons:

• English-speaking ride leader
• Support vehicle (SAG) for gear storage, mid-ride refreshments, and emergency transport
• Private hotel transfers between downtown Chengdu and Dayi

To ride Dayi as part of a longer trip, see our Chengdu cycling tours, or send a rental request with your dates.

FAQ

How do I get to the starting point in Dayi from Chengdu?

Dayi is roughly a one-hour drive southwest of central Chengdu via highway. CycleQuest can arrange private van transport for you and your bike directly from your Chengdu hotel.

Is an e-bike suitable for the full 60 km loop?

Yes. With 60 km of distance and 600 m of climbing, most standard modern e-bikes complete the entire loop on a single charge in eco or tour mode.

Are there public restrooms along the route?

Yes — in Xinchang Ancient Town, Chujiang Town, and at the main tourist service spots along the route.

Is the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel safe to ride through?

It is rideable, but demands extra caution: heavy truck traffic and poor interior lighting. Turn your lights on before entering and ride strictly on the right side of the road.