Best cycling destinations in Asia
Best cycling destinations in Asia
Scenic paths and long-distance bike trails in Asia
Asia offers some of the most varied cycling terrain on earth, ranging from high altitude mountain passes to flat river delta routes, tropical coastal roads, and the quiet backroads of rural countryside. The contrast between destinations is significant, and choosing the right one depends a lot on what kind of riding experience you're after.
The infrastructure varies widely across the region. Some parts of Asia have well-developed cycling cultures with dedicated lanes, route signage, and a support ecosystem that makes long-distance riding straightforward. Others require more self-sufficiency and planning, but reward the effort with landscapes and a sense of remoteness that more developed routes rarely offer.
Timing is particularly important in Asia, where monsoon seasons, extreme heat, and high altitude weather windows all affect which routes are rideable and when. Getting the season right can be the difference between an exceptional trip and a difficult one.
Lists by region
Town in Japan
Karuizawa
Cool highland resort at the foot of Asama
Karuizawa has drawn cyclists to its cool, forested lanes since becoming Japan's favorite summer resort in the 1880s. Rental shops near the station offer regular and electric bikes for touring the town. Mossy, stone-hedged roads wind past old Western-style summer homes beneath larch and birch trees. A popular loop passes Kumoba Pond, nicknamed Swan Lake.
State/Prefecture in Japan
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
Wide, quiet roads cross Hokkaido's farmland, passing lavender fields near Furano and Biei each summer. Cyclists can ride for hours without much traffic across the island's open countryside. Dairy farms and rolling hills define much of the scenery along the way. Cooler summer temperatures make Hokkaido a popular escape from the heat elsewhere in Japan.
Country
Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
Cyclists climbing into Sri Lanka's hill country pass tea plantations stacked in green terraces up steep slopes. Workers pick leaves by hand along roads that wind past colonial-era towns like Nuwara Eliya. Misty mornings often give way to clear mountain views by midday. Lower routes near the coast offer flatter, easier riding through palm-lined villages.
Island in Japan
Shikoku
Pilgrimage trail, gorges and hot springs
The Shimanami Kaido links Shikoku to Honshu across six small islands and seven bridges over the Seto Inland Sea. A dedicated blue line marks the 70-kilometer route the entire way. Citrus groves and fishing villages line the islands between each crossing. The Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, the final crossing, ranks among the world's longest suspension bridges.
Town in Japan
Nikko
Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs
Winding mountain roads climb from Nikko's shrines up the switchbacks of Irohazaka toward Lake Chuzenji. Forested slopes turn bright red and orange each autumn along the route. Kegon Falls, near the lake, offers a scenic rest stop after the climb. Cedar-lined avenues near the shrines make for a gentler ride before the mountain roads begin.
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