Shennong Stream Rafting

　　Shennong Stream originates from the vast, verdant mountains of Shennongjia. The stream water is crystal-clear, and the surrounding peaks are ruggedly majestic. About 20 km upstream from the mouth of the stream are Longchang Cave Gorge, Parrot Gorge, and Golden Bamboo Gorge, collectively known as the "Three Gorges of Shennong." Shennong Stream rafting is done in a flat-bottomed boat shaped like a “bean pod.” Boarding this quaint and rustic little boat and gently drifting on the emerald waters offers a taste of pristine wilderness. As described in a poem by Ouyang Xiu: “On windless water, the surface smooth as glass, the boat moves unnoticed. Ripples barely stir. Startled sandbirds skim the banks and take flight.” As you drift into Golden Bamboo Gorge in your “bean pod,” you’ll find the slopes on both sides densely covered with lush, vibrant green bamboo. The water reflects the shadows of the green peaks and bamboo, making the stream appear even more vividly blue. Drifting here amidst all this greenery feels like being enveloped in a world of pure jade, cleansing the mind and soul. Moreover, there isn’t a single motorboat on Shennong Stream — the air is exceptionally fresh, the gorges incredibly tranquil, with only the occasional chirp of birds or shout of a boat tracker adding to the sense of being far removed from the mundane world. Such a feeling is absolutely unique to Shennong Stream. After passing through Golden Bamboo Gorge, you’ll enter Parrot Gorge. This gorge features many strange peaks and extraordinary scenes — some peaks resemble roaring tigers, others playful monkeys. Inside the gorge is Shennong Stream’s largest cave, “Swallow Cliff,” along with other attractions such as ancient plank roads. Before long, you’ll arrive at the third gorge — Longchang Gorge. This one is dominated by sheer cliffs and numerous peculiar rocks. Noteworthy sights include “Fairy Sending Off the Elder,” “Crocodile Emerging from the Cave,” the Natural Swimming Area, and “Panda Rock.” Exiting Longchang Gorge, you’ll reach Xirangkou, where Shennong Stream meets the Yangtze River, marking the end of the rafting journey. From here, visitors can take a boat back to Badong County to continue their Yangtze Three Gorges exploration.

　　Shennong Stream stretches 60 kilometers in total, receiving water from 17 tributaries and 8 waterfalls over 100 meters high. The stream flows southward through deep mountains and canyons before joining the mighty Yangtze. Riding an ancient “bean pod” boat downstream, you’ll see cliffs rising at 80- to 90-degree angles on either side, steep and continuous, connected to the mountain peaks. The relative elevation of the peaks ranges from 300 to 1,200 meters, with narrow cliffs as slim as just 7 meters wide. Two small villages divide the 20-km stretch into three sections: Golden Bamboo, Parrot, and Longchang Cave Gorges. Each is distinctive — “perilous,” “elegant,” and “majestic.” The cliffs are not only dotted with stalactites and odd rocks but also home to over 60 caves of various sizes. Most cave entrances are reinforced with stone or earthen walls, remnants of ancient turmoil. Among them, Longchang Cave and Swallow Cliff Cave are the most famous. Longchang Cave is not a rock cave but a 10-li-long water passage where boats can float through. Swallow Cliff Cave stands 80 meters high and 30 meters wide, with its ceiling inhabited year-round by thousands of short-beaked swifts. Their flight overhead brings a festive atmosphere to visitors. Inside Swallow Cliff Cave, there’s a spectacular formation known as the “Thousand Hills of Farmland,” created by lava deposits. These terraced structures spread out impressively. Shennong Stream twists and turns with significant elevation drops, forming over 60 rapids of varying lengths and intensities — hence the saying “three bends in a li, three rapids in a bend.” Many shallow areas are less than 0.5 meters deep, causing the boat to drag across pebbles like traveling on land. Over thirty fast rapids have an average drop of 1.7 meters, with the highest reaching 3 meters. Rafting through these feels like shooting an arrow from a bow, offering thrilling yet safe fun as you battle nature’s forces.

　　Drive to Yezi Dam on Shennong Stream to begin today’s rafting adventure.