Yangdeng River Canyon Rafting

Yangdeng River Canyon Rafting

Yangdeng River Canyon Rafting

Yangdeng River Canyon Rafting (Tonggutan Rafting): Located in the Jinfo Mountain main peak area of the Dalou Mountain Range in northern Guizhou, it is formed by the sharply cut peaks of Jinshan, Bozhiba, and Qingba, all standing at elevations above 2000 meters. On its southern slopes, more than ten rain-fed rivers and streams converge to form the spectacular Yangdeng River. Constrained by the terrain, the river flows from east to west. At times it weaves through string-of-pearl-like plains on both banks, at other times it surges through canyons. Especially after entering Sanchazhuang, the canyon becomes deep with steep cliffs and precipitous rock walls, resembling corridors or city walls, with mountains seemingly about to collapse and peaks stretching continuously. This is the renowned Podu River rafting section in Chongqing and Guizhou. The water rushes through the narrow canyon, roaring like rolling thunder, echoing through valleys and mountains. A light boat gliding through this resembles floating atop surging waves and splashes—now plunging into troughs, now rising to crests, undulating and surfing along, thrilling and heart-stopping. After a long stretch of dangerous rapids, the water calms down like a tamed wild horse, becoming tranquil as if not moving at all. Lying in the boat, you look up at the sky where heaven and earth seem to meet in a single line, making one feel like a frog at the bottom of a well; looking down at the river, the fierce current is gone, leaving only crystal-clear visibility. “Peaks connect with the gateway of the sky, boats sail through caverns of the earth.” There are sometimes turbulent shoals with rapid currents, and other times mirror-smooth ponds. Verdant green mountains on both sides, lush bamboo, trees, vines, and vegetation, gushing waterfalls, thousand-foot cliffs, and hanging stalactites. The bluish-gray cliffs are dotted with glossy shrubs and swaying unnamed wildflowers, forming a vivid landscape scroll seemingly painted in a casual splash of ink by a master artist. The river water is cool and refreshing. The cave stalactites are dazzlingly colorful. With picturesque scenery and beautiful landscapes, it is an elegant destination tucked away in the densely populated border region between Guizhou and Chongqing, untouched by the mundane.

The Podu River section sits at an elevation between 300 and 400 meters, with high temperatures and suitable water temperatures. The period from April to September is the ideal time for tourism and rafting. Due to the typical development of karst landforms, the serene canyons are majestic and grand, with continuous surging rapids that are a feast for the eyes. Along the 10-kilometer rafting stretch, there are 27 attractions named based on their shapes and legends. Enthusiastic tourists from Chongqing, after rafting, have praised it as having “the best water quality and the most thrilling experience.” Trial rafting began in May 1996, making it the earliest in the Guizhou-Chongqing border area, earning it the reputation of the “Number One Rafting Trip in Guizhou and Chongqing.”

The rafting starts at Changtangkou in Podu Town, Tongzi County, and ends at Daqiaohetan on the riverbank in Podu Town. Wansheng District of Chongqing City specially built a 29-kilometer tourist road from Guanba Town to the starting point at Changtangkou, of which 19 kilometers lie within Podu Town, with some sections carved out of cliffs hundreds of meters high. Driving along this road, one gazes into the distance to see clouds drifting like thin cotton and mountain peaks tinged in dark green, where the wonders of nature and the creativity of modern builders shine together brilliantly, lifting the spirits. Tourists from Guizhou can take National Highway 210 to Ganshui Town, turn onto the Chatan Road, then to the Yangpo Road leading to Podu Town, cross the Podu Bridge, go uphill, and enter the dedicated tourist road to Changtangkou. The 10-kilometer rafting stretch features 27 attractions, including one waterfall, one rock, two islands, three canyons, four caves, and eight thrilling rapids and shoals with drops of 1.5 to 3 meters. They are: Pearl Waterfall, Bronze Buddha Rock, Lotus Island, —, Yangtiao Canyon, Bronze Buddha Canyon, Horseshoe Canyon, Silver Carp Cave, Echoing Water Cave, Mandarin Duck Cave, Lion Cave, Pearl Shoal (170 meters long, 3.2-meter drop); Lion Shoal, Bronze Buddha Shoal (126 meters long, 2.1-meter drop); Echoing Water Shoal; Monkey-Watching Shoal, Flying Fish Shoal (222 meters long, 1.4-meter drop); Podu Shoal (262 meters long, 1.7-meter drop). The charming green mountains and clear blue waters stir the fighting spirit at every rapid and inspire awe for nature’s ingenuity in every canyon. The Pearl Shoal sparkles with seven-colored pearls; the towering Bronze Buddha head gazes down at the riverside; Yangtiao Canyon offers a view of the sky through a narrow slit; Silver Carp Cave is solemn and mysterious; Lotus Island blooms like a welcoming lotus; Lion Shoal features a crouching little lion. Each shoal and canyon leaves a lasting impression and makes visitors linger. After surveying the area, tourism experts called it “a sleeping scenic treasure in the southwest.”

Today, at the starting point Changtangkou, a sizable wharf stands on the peninsula between the main and tributary rivers, with a mountain lodge built against the hills and near the water that accommodates hundreds of guests. By the Pearl River, dozens of charming tents form camping villages. Natural tourist facilities include changing rooms, restaurants, dance halls, parking lots, and public toilets—all conveniently located. Visitors here can easily enjoy daytime sights such as high mountain waterfalls cascading from the sky, blue skies with white clouds and birds in flight, riverside houses in northern Guizhou style, and cargo boats and small vessels drifting downstream. At night, they can listen to the enduring sounds of the river and immerse themselves in nature’s lullaby, with the refreshing river breeze giving a feeling of floating like an immortal. After rafting, travelers disembark in Podu Town to change clothes, then can explore this border town in northern Guizhou, purchase local specialties, and take a chartered bus back along the original route to conclude their rafting adventure.

Scenic Area Transportation: Travelers from Chongqing can conveniently reach Changtangkou via the Wansheng dedicated tourist road or by taking the Chongqing-Zunyi Expressway, getting off at Ganshui, transferring to Chatan, and proceeding through Podu Town to the attraction. Travelers from Guiyang or Zunyi can take the Chongqing-Zunyi Expressway to Sanyuanba, then continue through Songkan, Mugua, and Yangdeng to the site.

Scenic Area Food and Accommodation: After finishing the rafting trip at the endpoint in Podu Town, visitors can stay and dine in the Podu town area.