Rafting on the Yalu River

Rafting on the Yalu River

Rafting on the Yalu River starts in Changchuan Village, Sidaogou Town, Linjiang City, and travels downstream along the China–North Korea border river for 25 li. This rafting activity not only offers you breathtaking views of the mountains, rivers, and local customs on both sides of the Yalu River, but also allows you to deeply appreciate the rich cultural heritage and long history embedded in the scenic landscapes and folk traditions along the banks.

Among domestic rafting routes, this is the only one that takes place on a border river. Drifting along on a bamboo raft, you’ll be surrounded by green mountains on both sides and clear waters flowing southward, giving you a sense of leisure and transcendence.

Along the rafting route, the riverbanks are lined with dramatic cliffs and rugged rock faces. Take a closer look, and you’ll see some resemble tigers leaping through valleys, others dragons soaring into the sky, and some even dogs howling at the sun… Nature has carved them into unique shapes, then set them to compete with the mighty currents of the Yalu River — truly a case of “mountains and rivers vying in majesty, each showcasing the world’s grandest scenery.” The river is also dotted with rapids and dangerous shoals, many named for the sounds they make: Child Crying, Mother Calling, Spinning Wheel, Tiger’s Whistle; or for their shapes: Starry Sky, White Horse Wave, Closed Gate Rock, Turtle’s Bed… Of course, most of these perilous spots have been cleared or tamed since the founding of the People’s Republic. The section we now raft through is among the safest stretches of the Yalu River. Though it may lack heart-stopping thrills, the beautiful and spectacular scenery along the banks will surely delight your eyes and stir your soul.

Throughout the rafting journey, you’ll pass through Three Pools, Six Whistles, and Nine Bends. The Three Pools refer to the stable pools at Mian Shi Shi, Pai Fang Zi, and 0 Pig Pen; the Six Whistles are Arrowhead Whistle, Big Black Bear Whistle, Fishing Whistle, Black Stone Whistle, Starry Sky Whistle, and Flying Fish Whistle; the Nine Bends start from Mian Shi Shi on the Chinese bank and include Arrowhead, Second Team, Black Stone, Chimney Mountain, Yang Yu Tou, Immortal’s Play, Ca 0 Ridge, and end at the final rafting point, Jin Wo Zi. Along this stretch, the Yalu River makes nine turns. Among them, Big Black Bear Whistle and Starry Sky Whistle are famously treacherous sections of the river.