Tour of Guangxi Road Cycling World Tour: A Feast of Speed, Scenery, and Culture

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, located in southern China, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich ethnic culture. Since the inaugural "Gree Tour of Guangxi Road Cycling World Tour" in 2017, this event has grown into a major fixture in the international cycling calendar and an important platform for showcasing Guangxi's natural scenery, urban landscapes, and cultural features. Each year, the Tour of Guangxi attracts top cyclists from around the world as well as a large number of domestic and international spectators, making it a perfect blend of sports competition and cultural tourism.

Event Overview

Since its first edition in 2017, the Tour of Guangxi has continuously optimized its route design, enriched city experiences, and enhanced its international influence. The race typically consists of 6 to 7 stages, passing through cities such as Beihai, Qinzhou, Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, and Yangshuo, covering a total distance of 900–1,000 kilometers. The routes include flat roads, hills, and mountainous terrain, testing cyclists' speed and endurance while showcasing Guangxi's diverse natural scenery and urban charm.

The Tour of Guangxi is listed as an important event on the UCI Road Cycling World Tour, attracting numerous world-class professional cycling teams and providing an international platform for the development of cycling in China.

Participating Teams and Riders

The Tour of Guangxi gathers many top professional teams, including Astana, Bahrain Merida, BMC, Bora-Hansgrohe, Quick-Step, and more. Each edition features intense competition between star riders and emerging talents. Awards such as the overall champion, sprint king, mountain king, best young rider, and combativity award highlight riders’ athletic performance and tactical intelligence.

The race mascots, “Xiong Xiong” and “Feng Feng”, are modeled after the white-headed leaf monkeys native to Guangxi and incorporate Zhuang brocade elements and cycling attire in their design. They symbolize Guangxi's sporting spirit and the international character of the race, adding unique cultural elements to the event.

Stages and City Highlights

Beihai Stage

The Beihai stage often features circuit or coastal races along Silver Beach, Beach Park, and Golden Coast Avenue, combining flat sprints and minor climbs to attract sprint specialists. The coastal scenery and enthusiastic spectators make it a spectacular opening stage.

Qinzhou–Nanning Stage

This stage combines flat terrain with small undulations, including sprint and climbing points, testing riders' endurance and strategies. Along the way, cyclists and spectators enjoy Qinzhou's coastal scenery and Nanning's urban landscape.

Nanning Stage

The urban circuit in Nanning allows spectators to experience the excitement of the race up close. Key viewing points include Minzu Square, Qingxiu Mountain, and Jiangbei Avenue. The city stage tests riders’ technical skills while showcasing Nanning’s blend of modern urban life and ethnic culture.

Nanning–Mashan/Guilin Stage

These stages typically start on flat terrain and feature climbs in the latter half, finishing in scenic areas. Cyclists can enjoy attractions such as Mashan Nongla Scenic Area or the Li River in Guilin, combining competition with sightseeing.

Liuzhou–Guilin/Yangshuo Stage

Often the longest or most challenging single-day stage, the second half includes numerous climbs. The route traverses Guangxi's hills, valleys, and the Li River scenery, demanding peak physical performance while offering spectators some of Guangxi's most iconic landscapes.

Guilin–Yangshuo Stage

The final 40 kilometers typically feature complex terrain, bringing the race to a thrilling climax. Scenic highlights include the Ten-Mile Gallery along the Li River and Yangshuo's picturesque mountains, making this stage both competitive and visually stunning.

Past Highlights and Development

• 2017: Inaugural race, attracting 16 top professional teams, showcasing Beibu Gulf and Guilin scenery.
• 2018–2019: Route optimization added mountain and hill stages, increasing spectator appeal; ethnic cultural activities along the way attracted more viewers.
• 2020: Despite the pandemic, the race was held with strict safety measures, demonstrating organizational capacity and international influence.
• 2021–2023: Event scale expanded, more international riders participated, and cities along the route showcased cultural performances such as Zhuang singing and dancing and local food exhibitions, enhancing the cultural depth of the race.

Past editions have continuously produced overall champions, sprint kings, mountain kings, and combativity award winners. The race is not only a test of speed and endurance but also of strategy and tactical intelligence.

Guangxi Scenery and Culture

Spectacular Natural Scenery

• Li River and Ten-Mile Gallery: The Guilin and Yangshuo stages follow the Li River, with reflections of limestone peaks on the water, known as the “Hundred-Mile Gallery.” Cyclists ride between rivers and green mountains, challenging their endurance while enjoying breathtaking views.
• Beihai Silver Beach and Guantouling: The Beihai stage runs along the coast with sea breezes and long beaches. The Guantouling climb is a popular spectator spot, offering both visual beauty and athletic challenge.
• Qingxiu Mountain and Mashan Nongla Scenic Area: The Nanning stage passes through hilly areas, with bamboo forests, streams, and valleys forming natural tracks and ideal photography spots.

Diverse Ethnic Culture

• Zhuang Singing and Folk Performances: At stage starts, finishes, or city squares, performances of Zhuang mountain songs, dragon and lion dances create a festive ethnic atmosphere.
• Yao and Dong Villages: Villages along the route preserve traditional stilt houses and drum towers, offering close-up experiences of unique lifestyles and crafts.

Local Cuisine and Cultural Experiences

• Guilin Rice Noodles: A must-try snack during the Guilin stage, with flavorful broth and fresh noodles.
• Liuzhou Luosifen (Snail Noodles): Spectators and riders along the Liuzhou stage can taste the sour, spicy, and aromatic specialty.
• Beihai Seafood and Barbecue: Coastal city stages feature fresh seafood, beach barbecues, and night scenery, creating a unique viewing experience.

Integration of Sports and Culture

By combining the race with cultural experiences, the Tour of Guangxi allows spectators and international riders not only to enjoy speed and competition but also to experience Guangxi’s history, culture, and lifestyle. Cultural landmarks, ethnic performances, and local cuisine enrich the race experience and showcase Guangxi’s charm as a tourist destination. The Tour of Guangxi lets riders and spectators enjoy speed, excitement, and scenery, making it a key platform for promoting Guangxi’s cities and ethnic culture.

Cycling and Race Vocabulary

Scenery and Culture Vocabulary