Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" 60km Loop: Cycling Guide Near Chengdu
Explore the 60km Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" cycling loop near Chengdu. Complete route guide with elevation profiles, tunnel safety tips, and CycleQuest support.
Cyclequestchina
8/11/2026
Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" 60km Cycling Loop: Forests, Streams, and Valley Road Guide
Located just a 1-hour drive from downtown Chengdu, the Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" 60km Loop is one of the most balanced day-ride routes in Sichuan. Combining ancient town culture, river valley roads, a steep climb up Tianche Slope, and a fast 24km descent along the newly resurfaced Dashuang Road, this mid-distance route is ideal for intermediate cyclists looking for a scenic day trip outside the city.
Key Facts
Location: Dayi County, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Start and finish: Dayi Urban Area (Loop)
Route type: Road Cycling / Scenic Challenge
Distance: 60 km
Elevation gain: ~600 m
Highest elevation: 1,160 m
Lowest elevation: 520 m
Pure riding time: 4–6 hours
Total duration: 4–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Road surface: Predominantly paved asphalt (Dashuang Road is recently resurfaced)
Traffic: Generally manageable; heavy truck traffic present near Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel
Recommended bike: Road bike, Gravel bike, or E-bike
Best season: April to October
Suitable riders: Intermediate cyclists with basic climbing and descending experience
Latest route inspection: August 11, 2026 by CycleQuest China (Kuang & Hou)
Route Overview
The Dayi "Xin-Ma-Tai" loop gets its playful local nickname from passing through Xinchang Ancient Town, Tianche Slope, and Chujiang Town—a wordplay on the popular Chinese travel phrase "Xin-Ma-Tai". 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 km – 8 km)
Distance: 8 km
Terrain: Flat asphalt
Highlights: Warm-up flat road 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 km – 21.7 km)
Distance: 13.7 km
Terrain: Undulating valley road followed by a steep climb
Highlights: Riding along the Huotiao River gorge with turquoise waters and red sandstone cliffs. At kilometer 20, you reach Tianche Slope (1.7 km long, average gradient 8%).
Section 3: Tianche Slope Summit to Chujiang Town (21.7 km – 30 km)
Distance: 8.3 km
Terrain: Rolling hills
Highlights: Reaching the midpoint of the route at Chujiang Town. This is the primary resupply point for food, water, and restrooms before entering the final climbing zone.
Section 4: Chujiang Town to Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel & Dashuang Road Descent to Dayi (30 km – 60 km)
Distance: 30 km
Terrain: Sustained climb up to 1,160 m, dark tunnel passage, followed by a 24 km continuous descent
Highlights: Ascending past kilometer 34 toward the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel. After clearing the tunnel, enjoy a smooth, high-speed 24 km descent on the newly repaved Dashuang Road back to Dayi.
Distance, Elevation and Difficulty
Covering 60 km with roughly 600 meters of cumulative climbing, this route is rated Moderate. It is fully accessible to riders with basic road cycling fitness, but requires respect for specific technical sections:
Tianche Slope: A short but sharp 1.7 km hill section averaging an 8% grade. Pace your effort early, as there are few recovery flat spots until the summit.
Maximum Altitude: Reaching a maximum elevation of 1,160 m, the climb is not high enough to induce altitude sickness, but seasonal temperature drops near the top can occur.
Road Surface and Traffic
Surface Quality: Mostly clean, high-grade asphalt. The final 24 km section along Dashuang Road has been recently repaved, offering exceptionally smooth riding for fast descents.
Traffic Hazards: Heavy commercial trucks and industrial vehicles frequently use the approach road to the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel.
Tunnel Safety: The Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel lacks complete interior lighting. Front and rear lights are mandatory for safety when passing through this section.
Who Is This Route For?
Recommended for: Intermediate road cyclists, Gravel bike riders using smooth tires, or E-bike riders seeking a scenic day ride with moderate climbing.
Not recommended for: Complete beginners with no group ride or road sharing experience, or riders uncomfortable with high-speed downhills alongside vehicular traffic.
Recommended Bike and Gear
Bike Type: Road bike, Gravel bike, or performance E-bike.
Lighting (Mandatory): High-lumen front headlight and bright red rear taillight for dark tunnel visibility.
Safety Gear: Helmet, full-finger or padded gloves, cycling shorts, and UV sun protection.
Tools: Offline navigation device or smartphone, 2 water bottles, repair kit (spare tube, tire levers, compact pump/CO2).
Resupply and Pacing
Primary Stop 1 (Km 8): Xinchang Ancient Town. Ideal for a quick water top-up or trying local street food.
Primary Stop 2 (Km 30): Chujiang Town. Crucial resupply point. Fill all water bottles and consume solid food here, as commercial stops are scarce over the remaining 30 km.
Pacing Strategy: Maintain a steady endurance pace during the first 20 km to preserve energy for Tianche Slope and the final ascent to Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel.
Best Season and Weather
Best Months: April through October.
Weather Cautions: River valley roads can become dangerously slick during heavy rainfall. Avoid riding during monsoon showers or immediate post-storm periods due to potential rockfalls along valley walls.
Navigation and Safety
Offline Navigation: Mobile coverage is unreliable along deeper valley pockets and mountain passes. Download offline GPX tracks prior to leaving Chengdu.
Descending Awareness: Exercise caution on Dashuang Road. Maintain safe braking margins on blind corners and stay in the right lane at all times.
CycleQuest China Services
CycleQuest China offers tailored support for international riders attempting the Dayi loop:
Bike Rental: Road bikes and E-bikes delivered to your start location (Paid service).
English-Speaking Guide: Professional ride leaders fluent in English (Paid service).
Support Vehicle (SAG): Support vehicle for gear storage, mid-ride refreshments, and emergency transport (Paid service).
Hotel Transfers: Private vehicle transfers between downtown Chengdu hotels and Dayi (Paid service).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the starting point in Dayi from Chengdu?
Dayi is located approximately 1 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 60km loop?
Yes. With 60 km distance and 600 m of climbing, most standard modern E-bikes can easily complete the entire loop on a single charge under eco/tour modes.
Are there public restrooms along the route?
Yes, public restrooms are available in Xinchang Ancient Town, Chujiang Town, and at main tourist service spots along the route.
Is the Xiling Snow Mountain Tunnel safe to ride through?
It is rideable, but extra caution is required due to heavy truck traffic and poor interior lighting. Ensure your lights are turned on before entering and ride strictly on the right side of the road.
Related Guides
Chengdu Day Rides: Top 5 Scenic Routes Around the Capital (Please confirm if page is published)
Road Bike & E-Bike Rental Options in Sichuan (Please confirm if page is published)
China Cycling FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before You Ride (Please confirm if page is published)
Image Suggestions
Image 1:
Suggested Filename: xinchang-ancient-town-cycling-dayi.jpg
Alt Text: Cyclist riding past historical wooden buildings in Xinchang Ancient Town near Chengdu.
Caption: Passing through Xinchang Ancient Town at kilometer 8.
Placement: Below Section 1 in Route Breakdown.
Image 2:
Suggested Filename: dashuang-road-descent-dayi-chengdu.jpg
Alt Text: Smooth paved road stretching through green river valley on Dashuang Road in Dayi.
Caption: The newly repaved Dashuang Road offers a smooth 24 km descent back to Dayi.
Placement: Below Section 4 in Route Breakdown.
Route information last reviewed by CycleQuest China on August 11, 2026.
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