Experience Chengdu on a handcrafted bamboo bicycle!
Begin at AbuSolutely Urban, a Bamboo Maker-Space Café located inside the chic Water Plant 1946 complex, where Chengdu's cultural past meets modern industrial architecture. Enjoy a quick viewing of the bike studio; on return from your ride you'll appreciate an interactive explanation of how the bamboo bicycles are made.
Meet your English-speaking guide, get fitted to your bamboo bicycle, and personalise a bamboo souvenir to take home before setting off to discover the city. Follow leafy riverside cycling paths and explore some of Chengdu’s most interesting areas, discovering traditional teahouse culture, local life, and the beautiful surroundings of People’s Park.
Continue towards Tianfu Square, the heart of city centre Chengdu, where you’ll see the imposing Chairman Mao Statue, the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum, and the striking architecture of Chengdu Museum. Nearby, discover Huangcheng Mosque, one of Sichuan’s most significant historic mosques. Learn about Chengdu’s Muslim heritage, the local Hui community, and the cultural connections to Xinjiang, including its distinctive Uyghur traditions and halal cuisine. As you continue through the city, modern buildings, traditional streets, area shops, and quieter riverside spaces reveal Chengdu’s remarkable contrasts.
Then comes one of the tour’s most memorable moments: Anshun Bridge. The bridge’s storey reaches back to the 13th century, when Venetian traveller Marco Polo reportedly encountered an earlier crossing during his travels through Chengdu, traditionally dated around 1287. His writings introduced this remarkable river crossing to European readers. The beautiful covered bridge standing today was reconstructed in 2003.
Take photographs of its traditional architecture and picturesque setting along the Jinjiang River. An optional ice cream purchase can be enjoyed while you view a map of Marco Polo's journey carved in stone. Throughout the ride, your guide will share local stories and make time for memorable photography stops.
Finish where you began, at AbuSolutely Urban. Enjoy a complimentary coffee from the café menu and an interactive explanation of how the bamboo bicycles are made. Discover how bamboo is selected, shaped, and joined by hand using thoughtful natural engineering and skilled craftsmanship.
Route designed for relaxed riders: mostly quiet lanes, riverside paths and low-traffic streets. Your guide sets an easy pace with frequent stops for photos and historical context/stories.
