Cycling in Asia
The best places to cycle in Asia, from Japan's island-hopping bike paths to the Mekong and the roof of the world.
Asia offers cyclists an astonishing spread of terrain and cultures, from gentle spins through rice fields and temple ruins to punishing high-altitude epics across the Himalaya. Two wheels are one of the finest ways to experience the continent, letting you slow down, cover ground under your own steam and reach villages and viewpoints the tour buses never see.
The riding runs the full spectrum of ambition. You can pedal flat, traffic-free lanes between the temples of Angkor or Bagan, tackle rolling coastal roads in Vietnam and Sri Lanka, or take on the world’s highest passes in Ladakh and Tibet. Bike hire is cheap and widespread across Southeast Asia, and guided and supported tours make the harder routes accessible.
As always in Asia, season and preparation are everything. Ride the cooler, drier months to avoid the worst heat and monsoon rains, acclimatise carefully before any high-altitude route, and start early to beat both the sun and the traffic. Do that, and cycling here delivers some of the most immersive and rewarding travel days imaginable.
Where to Cycle in Asia#
Angkor Temples, Cambodia Pedalling between the ancient temples of Angkor is one of the most rewarding rides in Southeast Asia, on flat, shaded lanes that link the great monuments. A bicycle lets you slip between Angkor Wat, the Bayon and jungle-clad ruins at your own pace, arriving early before the tour groups.
Bagan Plains, Myanmar The temple-studded plain of Bagan is made for exploring by bike, with electric bicycles perfect for the sandy tracks between thousands of pagodas. Weave among the ancient stupas at your leisure, stopping to climb a quiet terrace for sunset over the Irrawaddy far from the crowds.
Mekong Delta, Vietnam The flat, green delta is superb cycling country, its network of narrow lanes and bridges threading orchards, rice paddies and stilt-house villages. Riding between floating markets and coconut groves along the maze of waterways gives an intimate feel for life in Vietnam’s rice bowl.
Hoi An Countryside, Vietnam Around this charming old town, quiet lanes wind through emerald rice fields, vegetable villages and along a palm-fringed river to the beach. Easy, flat and endlessly scenic, it is one of the country’s most popular and gentle cycling areas, ideal for a relaxed half-day loop.
Kyoto and the Arashiyama Hills, Japan Cycling is a wonderful way to link the temples, gardens and bamboo groves of Japan’s old capital. Riverside paths lead out to the Arashiyama district and its famous bamboo forest, while quiet backstreets reveal shrines and machiya townhouses missed on foot.
Shimanami Kaido, Japan A world-class cycling route runs across a chain of islands in Japan’s Inland Sea, linking Honshu and Shikoku by a series of soaring suspension bridges. Dedicated cycle paths, sea views and island villages make this roughly 70-kilometre ride one of the finest and most accessible in all of Asia.
Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle The flat plains around the ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle are ideal for cycling between temples, tanks and ruins. Pedal through villages and paddy fields to reach Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, mixing history with the everyday rhythms of rural life.
Manali to Leh, India One of the great high-altitude cycling challenges on the planet, crossing several Himalayan passes above 5,000 metres over a week or more. The thin air, epic climbs and stark, moonscape scenery of Ladakh make it a bucket-list ride for hardened and well-acclimatised cyclists.
Bali’s Back Roads, Indonesia Downhill rides from the volcanic highlands around Kintamani let you freewheel through rice terraces, coffee plantations and traditional villages. Quiet inland lanes reveal a Bali of temples and terraces far removed from the beach resorts, best ridden in the cool of the morning.
Yangshuo and the Li River, China The dreamlike karst landscape around Yangshuo, with its jagged limestone peaks rising over the Li River, is a joy to explore by bicycle. Country paths lead between villages, water buffalo and rice paddies through some of the most iconic scenery in all of China.
Northern Thailand Hills The forested mountains around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai offer challenging climbs, sweeping descents and cool highland air. Roads wind past hill-tribe villages, waterfalls and temples, making the region a favourite base for cyclists seeking Southeast Asia’s best road riding.
Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand The evocative ruins of Thailand’s first capital are best explored on the flat cycle paths that loop between the ponds, lotus flowers and serene Buddha images. Renting a bicycle to glide among the 13th-century temples in the cool of early morning is a quiet highlight of central Thailand.
Kathmandu Valley Rim, Nepal The hills ringing the Kathmandu Valley have become a hub for mountain biking, with trails linking ancient towns, terraced hillsides and viewpoints of the Himalaya. Rides out to Bhaktapur and Nagarkot combine culture, forest singletrack and, on clear days, distant snow peaks.