1. Shapotou (Ningxia, Yinchuan)

Perhaps only in the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia, in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, can you see such a unique vehicle for water travel - sheepskin rafts. Drifting on the Yellow Rivers, where the water moves rather quickly, the small vessel allows one to feel the special complexity of the mother river. Experience breathtaking excitement and appreciate the unusual folk-custom scenery on the both sides of the Yellow River. A unique experience indeed.

2. Minjiang River Drifting (Sichuan, Wenchuan)

Stemming from Qianlixue, near Min Mountain, and gathering around Huanglongshui of Jiuzhai, this river flows across Zang County of Qiangzhai, breaks through magnificent and beautiful Minjiang River Canyon before leaping down the Dujiang Dam. Minjiang’s power and beauty together with strength and kindness and extremely of the nearby mountains tell a story of harmony for both man and nature to learn from. Surging down the Minjiang River is a elarge part of the Dajiuzai Rafting Tour Projects. Be sure to check those out if you choose to pay homage to this place.

Getting There:
From Chengdu take the Jingcheng Highway 55km to the Dujiang Dam highway. Take that to Wenzhou’s Erji Road (totally distance ~81 km). From here take head into Wenchuan and follow the river to the Rafting Center.

Food and Housing:
The Min River Rafting and Dujiang Dam areas both have many neraby places to eat and take lodgings. The Dujiang Dam Hotel is located in Dujiang on Jianshe Road in the Qiaofu Xiuxian Square. Telephone: 028-87136635. Typical fares are around ￥399 for a room

Ticket Costs per Person: ￥168

Contact Information:
Abada Min River Rafting Company Hotline:0837-6228629.
Sichuan Provincial Travel Hotline: 028-86657308

3. Maling River (Guizhou, Xingyi)

After China’s first International Kayak Competition, held in 1998 at the Maling River, met with great favor, this gem of a river turned into an international attraction for kayakers the world over. The reason is that the Maling River rafting route is more than 50 kilometers, over 80 dangerous shoals, above 70 deep pools, and more than 60 bends. Even more seductive is the nearly 30 kilometers of “Slot Drifting” in its lower reach. People who like to challenge themselves are keen to access this spot. No wonder that it is referred to as the “No.1 place for river rafting in China”.

4. Maoyan River (Hunan, Zhangjiajie)

Green hills, blue waters, steep cliffs, massive stones, many shoals, swift torrents, rustic charms together with simple, magic sights and wild times can be found everywhere on the Maoyan. In 1986, inspired by an exploration mission on the Yangtze River, a tourism project in the Maoyan River region was created. The main spots targeted for the project were Wentang Ancient Ferry, Suoying Lake, Zongdou Shoal, Yanban Shoal, Mandarin Duck Island, Jima Village, Heshe, Xingzi Shoal, Maoer Shoal, Yanhe Gorge, Lianhuan Shoal, Shuidongzi Waterfall, Huoshao Solution Crevice, Xinlan Shoal, Raolan Shoal, Yinyang Shoal, Huangshi City, Zuzhou River, Xiangbizi Shoal, Magu Shoal, Dalanzi Shoal, Xiaolanzi Shoal, Chengjia Rock and so on. They are all splendid attractions and you can enjoy the scenery along the whole journey in the Maoyan River.

Getting There:
Take a train or plane to Zhangjiajie District. Then take bus route 13 to your destination. Also, there are daily mid-day shuttles from Xianglong (Lucky Dragon International Hotel).

Food and Housing:
The local treat, besides rafting, is flavorful snacks. The have sweet, spicy, and sour varieties. You can get all your favorites and try some new things too! Stinky Tofu anyone?

The best lodgings will be found in Fengjing District. These hotels are more expensive but also much more comfortable. The hotels here will cost around 400-500 a night. They are nice rooms with a 2-star rating. Have a look around and don’t be afraid to bargain with the desk clerk, especially if the hotel is mostly empty- you can get a good deal!

Ticket Costs per Person:
Rubber Rafts are ￥114/person. The course lasts about 3 to 4 hours. Motorized Boats are ￥124/person and the course lasts around 2 hours.

Telephone:
Zhanjiajie Travel Company: 0744-8296791

5. Mini Three Gorges (Chongqing)

If we describe the Three Gorges as a mature woman, then Mini Three Gorges is a charming young lady. The slow-moving water is hidden among majestic peaks. Besides the natural landscape of mountains and rivers there is the graceful and delicate ancient town of Dachang, with its mysterious Overhanging Coffin of the Ba People and incomprehensibly attractive Ancient Path awaiting the arrival of those drifting down the river. Unique cultural attractions constitute the main features of Mini Three George’s rafting experience.

Getting There:
Take a bus from the Dachang Docks to Pinghe. This should cost ￥10/person. Alternatively you can hire a driver to take you to Pinghe for ￥50. From Pinghe, continue into the dam region which will take 4-5 hours and cost ￥30 in tariffs.

Food and Housing:
Wushangxian City’s food is the same as you will find in Chongqing. South 3rd Street is where you will find the tastiest local food though.
For housing we recommend the Wushan Hotel. Their number is 023-57688588. Rooms are ￥160/night. Cheaper, thought less comfortable, rooms can be found at any of the neighboring hotels.

Ticket Costs per Person:
Tickets price depends on lenghth of trip.
Long course is ￥180-200/person while the shorter version goes for ￥60

6. Jiuwan Brook (Hubei,Yichang)

Jiuwan Brook is located to the south of Xiling Gorge (one of the Three Gorges) and to the west of New County Zigui which is about 20 kilometers from Three Gorges Dam (TGD). The number one scenic spot in the head region of the TGD is Jiuwan Brook. It was once a place known for its schooling and lectures, as well as a place for orchid cultivation when the patriotic poet Qu Yuan held the post of Zuotu, a kind of official position in ancient China. “I have planted 270 acres of orchids and 100 acres of irises,” he once wrote. This scenic spot is famous for marvelous mountains, graceful waters, steep cliffs, and fragrant flowers.

7. Nanxi River (Zhejiang, Wenzhou)

One Chinese idiom states, “Benevolent people like mountains while intelligent people prefer water." Nanxi River has been praised, since it offers both, for centuries. If you do not come to Nanxi River, then you will miss out on the beauty of the “Best Water in the World”. Following along the river by bamboo raft, which is the main means of transportation for local people, you can see the landscapes that were honored in ancient times for offering the best sights of both mountains and rivers in the whole known world. With quiet beautiful waters, verdant mountains, a series of ascending terraces, graceful and restrained ancient villages, it seems the leisurely atmosphere described by pastoral poets in Tang Dynasty is just like the ideal world described by author Tao Yuanming.

8. Zijiang River (Guangxi, Guilin)

“Guilin's scenery is the best in the world,” it seems that whenever people mention to Guilin, they always come to this common saying. However, when people access Guilin, they often lament that the landscape of the mountains and rivers of Guilin are no longer as natural due to the many man-made construction projects that clog the lush landscape. Still, they want to enjoy the picturesque landscape of Guilin. If you are so inclined then perhaps you can satisfy your desires by selecting the Zijiang River as your destination. Go on a raft trip down the Zijiang River, as the mountains begin to change with the movements of the water. The diversified Danxia landforms on the both side of river and clear water in the valley compliment each other perfectly. When the river is wide, it is as beautiful and charming as Yangshuo, when the river is narrow; it is as imposing as the Three Gorges. It is not surprising that the poet of He Jingzhi praised Zijiang as his “favorite in the south China”.

Getting There:
The Zi River is situated to the north of Ziyuanxian which is more than 100 kms from Guilin. From Gulin take a bus to Ziyuanxian. From there to the rafting port take another bus. Four or less people can get a bus for ￥60. More than four will have to pay ￥14 each. Make sure you make arrangements with your driver to pick you up and take you back to your hotel afterwards.

Housing:
There is a backpacker hostel north of the Guilin Train Station at the Guileyuan #D45. The Guilin International Youth Hotel can be found at #46 Binjiang Road.

Tickets:
Rafting Tickets: These must be purchased in the city at one of many approved ticket agencies. You can also go with a travel group. Wooden boats are ￥75/person and rubber rafts go for ￥500/boat (boats can seat a max of 6 adults). The local Bajiao Park has an entrance fee of ￥66.

9. Underground Chasms of Shangdong (Shangdong, Yishui)

The Underground River is long and winding; with plenty of water continual flowing during each of the four seasons and the underground waterfall is quite spectacular. A thousand meter rafting course is in use here and was developed over time by the flow of this underground river which is certificated by the Guinness Book of Records as “The Longest Underwater Flow in China”.

10. Wanquan River Drifting (Hainan, Yanyuan)

It takes about three hours to cover this 15 kilometers waterway from Yanyuan to Huishan County. When you are drifting along your way, sometimes it is extremely exciting to surpass the current and travel across a stretch of rapids where the current is strong. Everybody can feel quite at home and enjoy an endlessly picturesque scene on both sides of the river as the waters flow quietly, giving you the sensation of one who has made it to Taohuayuan- an idyllic dream world in Chinese mythology.

Getting There:
There are a few ways to get here. From Haikou East take a bus or car 102km for ￥22. Or, from Sanya Train Station take a bus 174km for ￥27. Times are 8:30, 11:45, 14:45, 17:45. Usually, there is a shuttle that the rafting company provides at 9am. Just ask around.

Housing:
In Jingqu you can stay at anyof 1 to 5 star hotels but we recommend the Qionghai Hotel. It is a nice mixture of price and amenities. If you want to stay with backpackers then check out the many hostels in the area for a more adventurous atmosphere.

Tickets:
Rafting Tickets: You can customize your rafting experience by chosing a ticket plan like the standard “Gorge Explorer” which costs ￥61/person, covers 6kms over 1.5 hours or the more epic “Gorge Adventurer” which costs ￥146/person and lasts more than 4 hours. The ride back into town costs ￥50. Expect to fork over around ￥500 altogether for raft tickets, travel arrangents, hotel and food.

Best Season
November through May is the best time to visit. The summers are just too brutal.

Read the original in Chinese here
 

Related Links
Rivers and Places that Will Blow You Out of the Water!
Crashing Cascades at Huangguoshu Waterfalls
Places that Will Blow You Out of the Water-Beidaihe

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.