Honghe Canyon Rafting

Honghe Canyon Rafting

Honghe Canyon Rafting is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Honghe Canyon Rafting is part of the Qingyuan Honghe Canyon National Forest Park, located 20 kilometers from the county town, 100 kilometers from Fushun City, and 150 kilometers from Shenyang City. After two years of mountain blasting, road building, and bridge construction, a path was carved through the rolling mountains. The starting point is at Shahu Tun at the head of the canyon. At the midpoint of the 25-kilometer-long canyon, a service area has been built to national AAAA-level standards, including a disembarkation dock, changing rooms, showers, boiler room, restaurant, residential buildings, rest areas, and shopping center, offering comprehensive services to visitors.

Honghe Canyon Rafting stretches 12.8 kilometers from Shahaizi Village in Dasuhe Township to the mouth of Yaozhigou Valley. This section of the river drains an area of 784 square kilometers, with abundant water volume and clear, unpolluted water. The rafting area features river widths ranging from 20 to 50 meters, with an average depth of about 1 meter. The rapids offer a moderate drop, comprising 20 gentle sections and 20 fast-flowing sections. The gentle sections are leisurely and relaxing, while the fast sections are thrilling yet safe. The banks of the rafting area are covered with dense forests and dotted with peculiar rocks, where wild game and rare mountain plants thrive undisturbed, presenting a pristine natural scene. The river winds down the mountain, twisting and turning through secluded paths, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the poetic line “Lost among mountains, doubting there’s no way out, then suddenly a village emerges amid willows and blooming flowers.” The scenery is uniquely stunning, making it a rare natural rafting destination in northern China. The rafting season lasts for about four months.

Honghe Rafting covers a total distance of 12.8 kilometers, with a rafting time of around two hours. The rafting area boasts a primitive landscape, surrounded by high mountains and valleys, dense forests, undulating terrain, and towering, oddly-shaped rocks, with abundant wild game and mountain delicacies visible throughout. The river width ranges from 20 to 50 meters, with an average depth of about 1 meter and moderate rapids. There are 20 gentle sections and 20 fast-flowing ones. The gentle parts are serene and relaxing, while the fast sections are thrilling but safe. The crystal-clear river flows along the mountain contours, winding and twisting through secluded paths, offering uniquely spectacular scenery. It is known as the “No. 1 Rafting Destination in Northern China.” The rafting season typically runs from May 20th until after the “Golden Week” holiday in October.

Honghe Canyon Rafting is a perfect destination for people from big cities seeking a return to nature and simplicity. Rafting here brings a delightful mix of leisure, thrill, and wonder, providing a unique fitness experience. Within the canyon, naturally-formed wonders such as the “Guest-Greeting Cliff,” “Cockcomb Rock,” “Twin Dragons’ Stern,” “Beasts Rushing to the Sea,” “Twin Peaks,” “Dripping Water Pot Waterfall,” “Thunder-Split Rock,” “Peaceful Beach,” “White Stone Bay,” “Color-Changing River,” “Backflow Vortex,” and “Little Dragon Gate” showcase the magical craftsmanship of nature. The forest is home to over 300 species of flora and fauna, coexisting harmoniously and thriving with vitality. The diverse and captivating primitive scenery is a feast for the eyes and leaves visitors lingering with unforgettable memories.

This project has been listed as a key tourism initiative for both Liaoning Province and Fushun City, officially opening for rafting on July 1, 2004. Honghe Canyon Rafting stands apart from other rafting destinations due to its purity and natural beauty. Since it was developed relatively recently, with minimal human alteration, every mountain, river, and tree remains untouched by artificial changes. Honghe Canyon Rafting spans 12 kilometers and uses high-strength rubber rafts, each accommodating 4 to 6 people, with 2 people paddling. The normal rafting duration is about three hours. Due to the winding nature of the canyon, the water flow alternates between calm and rapid sections. The calm sections are as smooth as a still lake, requiring paddling to move forward, while the rapid sections feature drops of nearly 1 meter, causing the rubber rafts to bob up and down—sometimes just soaking everyone, other times resulting in playful splashes or even brief dips in the water. The fun is endless. In the shallow sections, the water barely covers your feet, while in deeper parts, it can be around 2 meters. In the shallows, raft passengers can scoop water using basins or ladles to playfully splash each other—an activity that excites people of all ages. The canyon banks feature rolling hills with gentle slopes, lush green trees, fresh mountain air, bright sunshine, and occasional mountain streams and waterfalls, making it an ideal place for urban dwellers to unwind and relieve stress.