Chengdu’s 100km Ring Greenway Bike Ride: The World’s Largest Urban Cycling Loop for Foreign Travelers in China
- cometodolphinunion
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
You’ve heard of Chengdu’s pandas.Maybe its spicy hotpot.
But did you know Chengdu has the world’s longest urban greenway?
It’s 100 kilometers long—a full loop around the city.And you can bike it in one day… or take your time over a weekend.
I rode it last May with a Canadian friend.He said: “This feels like biking through a park that never ends.”
Here’s the thing: most tourists never see this side of Chengdu.They stay downtown. They miss lakes, forests, and quiet paths just 20 minutes from the metro.
This guide shows you how to rent a bike, where to start, and which sections are worth your time.
Plus: how to pair your ride with real Chengdu food and culture—not just another hotpot photo.
(Chengdu Ring Greenway bike ride for foreign tourists in China)
Trust me—skip another crowded teahouse. Ride the greenway instead.
Chengdu’s 100km Ring Greenway Bike Ride: The World’s Largest Urban Cycling Loop for Foreign Travelers in China
What Is Chengdu’s Ring Greenway—and Why Is It Special?
The Chengdu Ring Greenway (Chéngdū Huánchéng Lǜdào, 成都环城绿道) circles the city along the 4th Ring Road.
Total length: 100 km.It links 120+ parks, 20+ lakes, and 50+ scenic spots like Jincheng Lake (Jǐnchéng Hú, 锦城湖), Qinglong Lake (Qīnglóng Hú, 青龙湖), and San Sheng Flower Village (Sānshèng Huāxiāng, 三圣花乡).
It’s flat. Safe. Car-free.And it’s free to ride—no entry fee.
I’ve biked in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Kyoto.But nowhere has a greenway this big inside a major city.
Chengdu built it to fight traffic and pollution.
Now, it’s a gift for travelers who want to see real life—not just postcard sights.
Real Stories: What Foreign Riders Actually Experience
A UK student rented a bike near Jincheng Lake.
She rode 15 km with zero stress.“I saw families flying kites, old men fishing, and egrets flying over the water. It felt peaceful—like the city had a secret garden.”
A Brazilian couple did a half-loop (50 km) over two days.
They stopped at Xinglong Lake (Xīnglóng Hú, 兴隆湖) for lunch.
“We ate dumplings by the lake, then kept riding. No crowds. No noise. Just trees and breeze.”
Even beginners can do short sections.You don’t need to ride 100 km!
Just 10–20 km gives you the best views.
Where to Rent Bikes—and How Much It Costs
1.Use Qi Qu Shi Jie (Qí Qù Shì Jiè, 骑趣视界)—the official bike rental app for the greenway.But don’t worry—you don’t need Chinese.Just show this list to staff or use Google Translate:
Qinglong Lake (Qīnglóng Hú): Exit A, Line 4, Shiling Station
Jincheng Lake (Jǐnchéng Hú): Exit D, Line 5/9, Jincheng Avenue Station
BROSS South Store: New & used bike sales (near metro)
Caiqiao Store: Exit A, Line 4, Caiqiao Station
Dafeng Store: Exit B2, Line 5, Dafeng Station
Xinglong Lake (Xīnglóng Hú): Exit C2/C3, Line 18, Xinglong Station
Chengdu East Store: Search “Raocheng East Service Area” on maps
Global Center (Huánqiú Zhōngxīn): Exit A, Line 1, Century City Station
Tianfu 1st Street: Exit D, Line 5, Jincheng Lake Station
Yuedong Cailin: Exit D2, Line 3, Shuangfengqiao Station
Tianyu Road: Exit C, Line 6, Tianyu Road Station
Jinhua Temple: Exit D, Line 3, Jinhua Temple East Road Station
Longtan Store: Exit B/D, Line 8, Guilong Road Station
Zhonghe Store: Exit B1, Line 6, Zhonghe Station
Botanical Garden Store: Exit B, Line 3, Jinhua Temple East Road Station
Xingzheng College Store: Exit, Line 2, Xingzheng College Station
2.Rent shared bikes by Alipay
Shared bikes available everywhere in the city are cheap, but their comfort level is not as good as that of professional bicycles.
Bike types:
Standard e-bike: ¥25/hour, ¥120/day
Tandem e-bike: ¥40/hour
Kids’ seats available
Pro tips:
Download Amap or Baidu Maps—Google Maps doesn’t show all paths.
Start early (before 9 AM) to avoid afternoon heat.
Bring water—some sections have no shops for 5 km.
Best Sections for Foreign Travelers (Don’t Ride the Whole Loop!)
1. Jincheng Lake to Gui Xi Park (12 km)Flat. Scenic. Full of locals doing tai chi or dancing.Perfect for your first ride.
2. Qinglong Lake Loop (8 km)Quiet. Forested. Great for birdwatching.You’ll see herons, kingfishers, and maybe otters!
3. Xinglong Lake to Science City (10 km)Modern skyline meets lakeside calm.Stop at Xinglong Lake Café for cold brew with a view.
Skip the industrial zones near Chengdu North.Stick to the south and east sections—they’re greener and safer.
Pair Your Ride With Real Chengdu Life (Not Just Hotpot)
After biking, eat like a local.Skip the “Chengdu hotpot” near Chunxi Road—it’s overpriced and bland.
Instead, try Luoma Clay Pot (Luómǎ Gānguō, 罗妈干锅) on Tangba Street (Tāngbà Jiē, 汤坝街).Their dry-braised chicken with Sichuan pepper is legendary.
Or grab spicy skewers at Guanxian Ancient Town (Guānxiàn Gǔzhèn, 灌县古镇)—just 1 hour from the greenway by train.
And yes—this fits perfectly with our Chengdu Travel Guide – The Ultimate 96-Hour Relaxation Itinerary.
It includes:
✅ 3 panda bases compared—with best cub-viewing times
✅ Dujiangyan Irrigation System made simple
✅ 30+ authentic food spots—no tourist traps
✅ Qingcheng Mountain hiking routes (front vs. back)
✅ Bilingual addresses + 1-tap Google Maps links
✅ How to pay without WeChat/Alipay—cash & card hacks
For $9.99, you get 137 pages of tested advice.Perfect if you have 2–4 days in Chengdu and want to skip the fake, feel the real.
The greenway isn’t just a bike path. It’s Chengdu’s soul on two wheels.And your ticket to seeing a city most travelers never discover.
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