Dragon King Gorge

Dragon King Gorge

The Dragon King Gorge Drift is situated within the Zhanghe Grand Canyon at Xiliuping, Xiaoyan Town, Nanzhang County. Provincial Highway 251 passes through the area, approximately 55 kilometers from Nanzhang County. The Zhanghe Grand Canyon was formed 70 million years ago due to tectonic activity that tore open the earth’s crust. The drift's starting point, "Shimenyu," lies just tens of kilometers from the river’s source. Pristine, pollution-free water flows swiftly through the narrow valley flanked by towering mountains, carrying with it reflections of the surrounding peaks and drifting clouds. It surges over rocks and rapids, singing all the way downstream, forming a breathtaking natural "gallery" of landscapes. Natural and cultural attractions such as the ancient and mysterious Dragon King Cave and the puzzling remnants of an ancient plank road add an air of mystique to the already stunning canyon scenery.

The waterways of Dragon King Gorge alternate between narrow and wide sections. As rubber rafts glide downstream, they dodge boulders, weave around hidden reefs, and charge through rapids, splashing green water and spreading laughter along the way. Along the 8-kilometer stretch of river, thrilling rapids and calm, mirror-like lake surfaces are interspersed. The rafts sometimes bob unpredictably in the rushing currents, making you feel like a leaf floating with the tide; other times they gently drift on the placid water, offering a rare sense of tranquility and peace. Often, just after a rush of adrenaline through the rapids, you’ll have a brief moment of calm on smooth water—only to be greeted by another dramatic drop ahead. The thunderous roar of the water instantly excites every cell in your body, filling you with enthusiasm to take on the next thrilling challenge. It’s an endless source of fun. In 2004, it was rated as one of the “Top Ten Natural Landscape Attractions” and is hailed as the “Number One Drift in the Jing Mountains.”

◆ Transportation Around the Scenic Area

0710—5338555 5338999 Travel Methods: Drive your own car or take a bus from Nanzhang County to Xiaoyan, Xunjian, or Yuan’an

Xiaoyan Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Nanzhang County, it is one of the county’s key sericulture bases and a famous main production area of ginkgo trees. Established as Xiaoyan District in 1952, it was reorganized as a commune in 1975, reinstated as a district in 1984, and became a town in 1987. Located in the central-southern part of the county, it covers an area of 182 square kilometers with a population of 22,000. Provincial Highways Nanzhang–Yuan’an and Xiaoyan–Xiaozhanghe intersect within the town. The Zhanghe River, the largest river in Nanzhang, flows southwest through the area, while the Donglin River and Macheng River originate north of the town and run through it. The town administers Xiajiayan, Banzhuping, Huotian, Wujia’a, Maohu, Hualaochi, Tongshutang, Longjiaya, Chenjiaya, Xi... More detailed information about Xiaoyan Town++