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Episode 6 — Day 3: Climbing to Dali

Tunnels, Air is getting thinner & the road to the Roof of the World

After a quiet night in Zhenyuan, i point the IBEXX towards north again and Day 3 is where the climb starts to feel real. The distance might not look huge on paper, but 7 hours 15 minutes in the saddle, combined with rising elevation, hits differently. By the time i reach 2,300 meters (7,546 ft), I can already feel it in my breathing especially while recording the vlog.

And something becomes crystal clear on this leg: China is a country of tunnels. It’s almost nonstop, one tunnel ends, another begins. And they are not short either. What used to feel long is now normal, 3 km long tunnels are becoming standard length, carving straight through mountains like it’s nothing.

There are so many optional stops on this route like Nanjian Soil Forest, Weishan Ancient City, and scenic areas around Erhai Lake, but I couldn’t do them all. My mind is already set higher toward the Roof of the World, and eventually Pakistan. Some places deserve a full day, but this time the road is calling louder than the sightseeing.

By late afternoon i reached, one of Yunnan’s most iconic stopovers, but without the chaos. Compared to Lijiang, Dali Ancient City feels more open, more walkable, and more happening. Old gate towers, lantern lit streets at night, cafes, food streets, and that perfect mountain lake atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than planned.

And the stay tonight? A small guest house with a view that didn’t feel real, scenery, giant mountains not too far and the scent of flowers everywhere. I still remember that smell. One of those small moments that stays with you long after the engine is off.

Then there’s the crown jewel of Dali Chongsheng Temple & the Three Pagodas a landmark with over a thousand years of history. For foreign visitors, there’s currently a free entry policy , making this one of the best value cultural stops on the entire China route.

This is the day the journey shifts again from riding through China to preparing for the high road ahead. The air gets thinner, the body starts adapting, and the “Roof of the World” stops feeling like a distant idea and starts feeling close. But for the next episode i am facing a big problem which you will only find out when i upload it.

🗺️ Day 3 Ride Stats

Route: Zhenyuan → Dali
Distance: 252 km
Ride time: 7h 15m

⛰️ Altitude (Day 3)

Highest altitude: 2,300 m (7,546 ft)
Night stay altitude: 2,035 m (6,677 ft)

📊 ALTITUDE COMPARISON (Day 1 → Day 3 in China)

DAY 1 – Mohan → Jinghong
Highest altitude: 1,083 m (3,553 ft)
Night stay altitude: 553 m (1,814 ft)

DAY 2 – Jinghong → Zhenyuan
Highest altitude: 1,527 m (5,009 ft)
Night stay altitude: 464 m (1,522 ft)
✅ Highest-altitude gain vs Day 1: +41.0%

DAY 3 – Zhenyuan → Dali
Highest altitude: 2,300 m (7,546 ft)
Night stay altitude: 2,035 m (6,677 ft)
✅ Highest-altitude gain vs Day 2: +50.6%

The road is getting higher.
The tunnels are getting longer.
And the destination is getting clearer Roof of the World then Pakistan.