Chaotianhou Drifting

Chaotianhou Drifting

Chaotianhou Drifting is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Chaotianhou, commonly known as Wangtianhou, is said to be the son of the Dragon King and has a habit of keeping watch. The dragon perched atop the pillar of a stone memorial archway (i.e., Chaotianhou) roars toward the sky, believed to convey heavenly mandates and relay the sentiments of the people. Historical records indicate that the mount of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, is the “Chaotianhou.”

Chaotianhou Drifting is located in Xingshan County, the hometown of Zhaojun, in Yichang City, Hubei Province — en route from Yichang to... It lies midway between Yichang and the Shennongjia Forest District, serving as an important node along the “One River, Two Mountains” golden tourism corridor. It is 100 km from Yichang, 90 km from Shennongjia, 90 km from the Three Gorges Dam, 12 km by waterway from Xiangxi Wharf, and the upcoming Shanghai-Chengdu North Expressway exit is situated in Gaolan Town. With extremely convenient transportation, it is a newly developed premium route for transit tours, self-drive trips, and destination travel.

Development Background: Chaotianhou was officially launched in March 2007. It was planned and designed by the Tourism Research Institute of Wuhan University and jointly invested in by Xingfa Group, Xingshan Tianxing Power Supply Company, and Shuiyue Temple Town, with an initial investment of about 5 million yuan. As this project undergoes deeper development and advancement, it will comprehensively boost the rapid growth of the tourism industry in Xingshan County, the hometown of Zhaojun, and take a more solid step toward realizing the development strategy of “Relying on the Three Gorges, Integrating with Shennongjia, Building the Zhaojun Brand, and Developing Node Tourism.”

Scenic Area Features

1. Twin Drifts

In the past, most rafting experiences involved a single river channel, where participants of all ages and interests had no choice but to passively select one option. Chaotianhou offers a unique pair of drift routes: the Confucius River and the Xiayang River, combining both gentle and thrilling styles. The Confucius River is located within the Ten-Mile Gallery Scenic Area of Gaolan, stretching 4.5 km with a drop of 78 meters. Along the way, you can admire sights such as the Old Man Fishing, Peacock Ridge, Camel Peak, and Zhaojun Rock. The river features pristine natural scenery, beautiful landscapes, clear waters, and a gentle yet firm flow, making it suitable for older visitors, children, and those who enjoy sightseeing. The Xiayang River is situated outside the Ten-Mile Gallery area of the Gaolan Natural Scenic Zone, spanning 5 km with a drop of 128 meters. It passes by landmarks such as the Reclining Buddha, Eight-Brocade Brocade, General’s Pillar, and Chaotianhou. The open and bold course features thrilling rapids where rocks jut through the water, offering an exciting and adrenaline-pumping experience with moments of gentleness — perfect for younger adventurers and thrill-seekers. These two distinct styles cater to different market segments.

Although the two drift courses start at different points, they converge at the end — a feature that is truly one-of-a-kind in China. The drifting area boasts picturesque natural scenery and also supports activities such as outdoor expansion and camping.

2. High Water Temperature

Water temperature is a crucial factor affecting the rafting experience. Many have experienced how, during a rapid, icy water splashes over you, causing an involuntary shiver. This is because most of the water comes from mountain springs, making it extremely cold — even in the height of summer, it can be hard to bear, thus diminishing the enjoyment of the drift. At Chaotianhou, dams have been built upstream to ensure sufficient water volume on the drifting section, effectively raising the water temperature. As a result, the river water is no longer bone-chilling, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the thrill of rafting.

3. Broad Views

The twin drift routes of Chaotianhou, especially the Confucius River, offer exceptionally wide vistas. This means that while experiencing the excitement and thrills of rafting, you can also take in beautiful natural sights such as the Old Man Fishing, Peacock Ridge, Camel Peak, and Zhaojun Rock. It’s the best of both worlds — thrilling drifts and stunning scenery.

4. Convenient Transportation

Most rafting spots suffer from poor accessibility, often resulting in awkward situations where large vehicles can’t enter, small cars get stuck in traffic, and tourists have to hike uphill after their ride. Through road renovations and construction by the Xingshan government, Chaotianhou allows tour buses to drive directly to the starting point, greatly benefiting visitors. The drop-off and waiting area at the endpoint is also well-designed, effectively solving the issue of passengers struggling to board vehicles afterward.

Self-Drive Route

Detailed Driving Directions:

1. Enter the highway from the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway entrance (i.e., pick up your card at the Wuhan West Toll Station), then transfer to the Han-Yi Expressway. Drive 298 km to reach the Yichang Toll Station (130 yuan). After exiting, turn left at the Yichang ramp and head in the direction of Shennongjia.

2. Ahead, there is a roundabout — take the right turn here. At intersections along this section, there are signposts; follow the directions to Xingshan and Shennongjia.

3. From Yichang to Gaolan in Xingshan is 104 km. Some sections are under repair (Yi-Ba Expressway), and the roads are severely damaged — drive with caution. Specific route: Start from Yichang — Dongshan Tunnel — Development Avenue — Jiangjiawan — Huanghua (turn left) — Wuduhe — Wangjiatai (turn left) — Gaolan Town — Chaotianhou Drifting Starting Point — Lianghekou Drifting Ending Point.

4. There are two routes from Chaotianhou Drifting to Shennongjia:

1). Lianghekou (turn right) — Gaolan Ten-Mile Gallery — Huangliang Liujia Dam (turn right) — Jiepaiya (turn left) — Gufu Hanxikou Bridge (turn right to Gufu New Town, then turn left to Zhaojun Bridge) — Zhaojun Bridge (turn right) — Zhaojun Village Scenic Area — Longmenhe National Forest Park Shennong Cave Scenic Area — Shennongjia Nature Reserve.

2). Lianghekou Drifting Ending Point (turn left) — Jianyangping — Xiakou Bridge — Xiakou Tourist Wharf — Gaoyang Town — Zhaojun Bridge (turn left) — Zhaojun Village Scenic Area (turn left) — Longmenhe National Forest Park Shennong Cave Scenic Area — Shennongjia Nature Reserve.

Both routes are roughly the same distance. The first has wider roads and less traffic, but the stretch from Gaolan to Huangliang and Jiepaiya to Gufu involves mountain switchbacks with many hairpin turns. The second route has slightly poorer road conditions and more curves and mining trucks between Xiakou and Zhaojun Bridge. The first route is recommended, as it also lets you enjoy the scenic beauty of the most attractive county among the Three Gorges migrants.

Public Transport

1. By Train:

Arrive at Yichang East Railway Station. Upon exiting, take Bus 9 (approximately 30–40 minutes) to Yichang Long-Distance Bus Station. From there, take a bus to Gaolan in Xingshan and get off at the drifting starting point. Alternatively, if arriving at Yichang Railway Station (only trains from Wuchang and Hankou to Yichang stop here; other trains stop at Yichang East), exit left, go downhill, then turn left and walk about 200 meters to Yichang Long-Distance Bus Station. Transfer to a bus to Gaolan in Xingshan.

2. By Bus: Arrive at Yichang Long-Distance Bus Station and transfer to a bus heading to Gaolan in Xingshan.

3. By plane: Take the airport shuttle bus, get off at Yichang Long-Distance Bus Station, then transfer to a bus to Gao Lan in Xingshan.

Rafting Notice 1. It is forbidden to bring iron objects such as knives and needles onto the raft to avoid puncturing the inflatable boat and causing danger;

2. During the rafting process, do not leave the boat, do not swim in the water, and do not exchange or interconnect rafts;

3. Please properly safeguard items such as watches, glasses, cash, jewelry, cameras, and other non-waterproof or valuable belongings. Do not bring them onto the raft;

4. Rafting will cause your clothes to get wet. Please bring spare clothing before your trip to change after rafting, and also prepare a pair of flat shoes;

5. Before getting on the raft, all rafters must wear a life jacket, which must be checked and approved by staff before boarding. Life jackets must not be removed midway, and overloading is not allowed;

6. During rafting, do not lean outward, do not sit on the edge of the raft or stand up, and do not play around or joke. Especially in rapids and dangerous river sections, when the raft passes through rapid currents, it is strictly prohibited to use your hands or feet to brace against rocks to avoid injury from impact;

7. In the event of a raft overturning during the rafting process, please do not panic. Since you are wearing a life jacket, hold your breath and you will float to the surface. Please quickly signal for help to nearby boats or patrolling rescue personnel;

Address: Xingshan City, Yichang, midway between Yichang and Shennongjia

Type: Rafting

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Playtime: 2–3 hours

Official Website: http://www.chaotianhou.com/

Opening Hours:

Rafting starts daily at 13:00. Rafting is only available in summer; it is not operational in winter.