Rafting in the Shanwanwan Gorge: Welcoming Early Summer in Tonglu

Where do you want to go this summer? To the water, of course! Though the outdoor temperature is climbing by the day, we can still ignite the hottest energy of the season. Have a blast this summer right at Shanwanwan in Tonglu, Hangzhou. Gorge rafting, the internet-famous glass walkway, glass slide rafting, the thrilling high-altitude step-by-step bridge... nature’s playground will make you forget city worries and the unbearable heat, because here, you get an 18°C summer. Bring your friends, bring your family, and in less than 2 hours’ drive from Hangzhou, you’ll arrive at this paradise – Tonglu’s Shanwanwan, for a rich summer getaway.

Tonglu Shanwanwan is located in Gaolian Village, Fenshui Town, Tonglu County, only 48 km from Tonglu city center and 88 km east of downtown Hangzhou. Its location is superb and transport very convenient. With current special circumstances preventing overseas travel, most people play near home, and Tonglu, the backyard of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, is increasingly popular with short-trip travelers.

Shanwanwan Gorge Rafting

Yunpiaopiao Internet-Famous Glass Bridge

High-Altitude Thrilling Step Bridge

Shuiliuliu Glass Slide

What summer outdoor activity gets you out willingly? Rafting, of course! When midsummer arrives, rafting spots across Jiangsu and Zhejiang begin to see peak visitors. In the rafting world of Jiangsu-Zhejiang, there’s a place: Shanwanwan, Yunpiaopiao, Shuiliuliu – with vertical drops over 200 meters, seek thrills on an adventure river.

Among the many rafting sites in Jiangsu-Zhejiang, Tonglu Shanwanwan is hailed as one of East China’s most exciting. Its fame comes from huge drops, high speed, unique scenery, and surging water volume – these perfect traits create the ultimate thrill of big rapids in a small creek. Tonglu Shanwanwan Torrent Adventure Scenic Area sits in a volcanic rock gorge, featuring volcanic rock formations, cliffs, ravines, ancient trees, bizarre stones, and cascading waterfalls – each a distinctive natural sight.

Just the name Shanwanwan lets you feel the rafting thrill. A 3.5-km bizarre gorge, a max 208-meter vertical drop, endless surging waters, mountains echoing – jump on a rubber raft and charge downstream, slashing through waves, experiencing a unique torrent adventure. On the rafting course, you float for a full hour or more, hit sharp turns every now and then, and river water pours down your back – absolutely exhilarating.

I remember rafting as a childhood thing; at each rapid, a drop would splash up a thousand water blossoms, you’d instinctively grip the raft, yet not know it might flip. Growing up, with more courage, the sensation of water slapping you forward is refreshingly thrilling – the early summer heat is instantly doused by the icy river.

Advice: fill your belly before rafting. Don’t think sitting in the raft is easy – it’s pretty energy-draining because the tension kicks in, especially when plunging at high speed.

Before the real rafting, change into gear. The scenic area provides helmets and life jackets – this is very important. Make sure you’re suited up before rafting; it’s about taking responsibility. Then a staff member gives a brief talk; basically, hold tight to the raft’s handles. After that, you board and set off, with the spirit of warriors embarking, stirring up a thousand waves.

Shanwanwan gorge rafting has first-class safety measures. Just follow instructions, hop on and raft with confidence. Once on the raft, before you adjust to the water temperature, the first slope challenges you. A downhill immediately soaks you through – no worry about splashing, you’re already drenched, sitting in a raft half-filled. The charm of Shanwanwan rafting is irresistible.

The thrill raises your senses and body heat, but a dip in the river melts the summer blaze. Over an hour of shooting rapids in the fjord, drops over a hundred meters, more than ten bends surge – each bend a slope, the valley echoing with the screams of girls.

On calm stretches, you can rest a bit, letting the river push the raft. Better bring a water gun and spray your pals, no distinction, truly not a moment to relax. With countless twists and turns, Shanwanwan is full of surprises – who knows which bend might reveal a treasure.

Drifting freely in Shanwanwan valley, sometimes splashed in the face, sometimes floating along admiring green hills and clear streams on both banks. As East China's biggest vertical drop rafting, the forest coverage reaches 90%, and the air is rich with negative ions. A deep breath refreshes you thoroughly.

Beyond the vast ocean, there are canyon torrents for you to ride freely. Come to Shanwanwan gorge, give yourself a chance to drift unleashed. Winding gorges, surging waters – in Tonglu’s Shanwanwan, enjoy a long-missed summer soaking. Believe that in the scorching heat, a ten-li rafting trip will cool you to the core.

Hot summer is coming; there are thousands of reasons to step out. Rafting is one. If you don’t get wet, is it even summer? Join a wet party in nature, charge through the rapids, listen to the rushing water and the screams that belong to our summer.

Rafting Tips:

1. Bring your own swimwear, sandals (flip-flops easily drift away, I’ve witnessed), towel, change of clothes, waterproof sunscreen (sunburn is serious on the water). The area provides helmets and life jackets.

2. The washroom has hot water, bring toiletries for a quick hot shower after rafting.

3. You can wear glasses, but be careful not to lose them in the water.

The most internet-famous attraction is undeniably Shanwanwan’s glass sky bridge. Made of special transparent glass, 168m long, 108m above the valley floor, it creates a 360° suspended panorama. Standing on it at first gives you a heart-pounding thrill.

Even before climbing, just flying a drone to see the glass bridge gives a sensation of falling from the sky. I, who loves thrills, secretly anticipated: I wonder what the scene will be like up there.

To reach the glass bridge, climb a few minutes’ hill path, then you see Yunpiaopiao’s iconic internet-famous glass walkway. You need shoe covers for anti-slip. Against the blue sky, the white cloud bridge perfectly matches the clouds.

Stepping onto the glass bridge, a bit panicky at first, but soon adapt to the height. Many kids walk faster than adults up here, as if they don’t know fear.

Standing on the glass cloud bridge offers a panoramic view: in front, Shanwanwan surrounded by continuous peaks, cars zipping along the road below.

The glass bridge also has various decorative balls, very dreamy, perfect for girls to take Instagram-worthy photos.

The internet-famous glass walkway bustles with visitors – it’s obviously popular. Basically, entire families, young and old, come to try. Glass bridges have really been hot in China lately.

Of course, an internet-famous bridge yields many insta-worthy shots. The mirrored surface reflects the sky, so you can pose as if stepping on the sky.

Looking around, blue sky and white clouds almost touchable, a gentle breeze, so pleasant. But the glass cloud bridge’s charm goes beyond that. Even kids are very safe walking here, but remember to hold mom’s hand. On the glass cloud bridge, it feels like walking on a fairy bridge! Strolling as if riding the wind, experiencing the thrill of walking in air – truly every step blooms.

Cool, tender, pose all styles. For young people, this is the internet-famous bridge’s charm, while for families, walking above the clouds is a rare experience.

Compared to other glass bridges where you just walk casually, Tonglu Shanwanwan’s glass bridge gave me a distinctive air-walking sensation, a thrilling excitement unmatched by other amusements.

At Shanwanwan, I also discovered a high-altitude step-by-step suspension bridge I’d never walked before. The bridge is 108m long, 108m above the valley – a new addition this year! Come try it early.

This wooden plank bridge experience is quite novel. Remember to hook your safety rope to ensure safety. After a few steps, you’ll share the secret with other visitors.

The plank walkway’s safety measures are well done: gaps between planks aren’t too wide, all safety accessories provided. Watching locals cross quickly, first-timers should be a bit cautious.

Actually, as long as you’re securely roped, there’s no danger. It’s a courage test. Look at our sister walking with an easy expression, so comfortable.

Our brother also appears, striking funny poses on the plank bridge – super fun.

Have a race, see who’s faster.

The step-by-step bridge is also an internet-famous spot for great photos, capturing many different insta-worthy images. Girls who love photos, don’t miss it.

Walking the plank bridge feels like trekking through nature, breathing super fresh air, as if this piece of nature belongs to you.

The third internet-famous experience at Shanwanwan Resort is aerial rafting – probably the most thrilling rafting I’ve ever tried. Shanwanwan rafting is Hangzhou’s No. 1 raft, a 1280m full-glass slide, 108m drop, 360° multi-directional rotation. From the internet-famous glass bridge, you can spot the aerial rafting course – 18 bends, looks quite daunting just to see.

What’s the most exciting summer fun? Rafting, of course! Shanwanwan’s rafting is nestled in the forest. Viewed from above, the course hides among the woods; each turn feels like tumbling into nature.

Unlike typical wilderness rafting, Shanwanwan’s aerial rafting runs on a glass slide with a layer of water to reduce your dinghy’s friction, so you speed down faster – super thrilling.

Before rafting, put on a raincoat. Speaking from experience, you’ll get soaked, so put away cameras and phones beforehand.

The moment you slide out, acceleration is totally out of your control; the speed is really fast. At each bend, I felt I’d be flung out. In about 5 minutes, you reach the end, but on reflection, I wished it lasted longer. So the next day before leaving, I did it again.

Shanwanwan has many guesthouses. I chose Qinran Xiaozhu. The moment I stepped in, I was captivated: surrounded by mountains on three sides, beautiful scenery, plus quasi-five-star facilities, offering guests a reclusive forest villa lifestyle.

The room is very large and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows embracing nature’s wild charm.

Even the bathroom exudes nature. The mirror reflects the scenery outside – truly gorgeous.

This is Qinran Xiaozhu, an imposing standalone villa. Outside it looks like this, but inside is full of surprises; each building hosts several families. In Tonglu Shanwanwan, nature lovers will find even more affection.

Around Shanwanwan, there are many farmhouse restaurants. Basically, you can’t go wrong – they use local, seasonal ingredients, the most original flavors of nature. During my stay, every meal was farmhouse fare, classic farm dishes, prized for their pure, genuine taste.

Every bite was full of Tonglu’s local flavor. If I get the chance, I’ll return to Tonglu to savor the area’s most delicious dishes and farmhouse cuisine.

The two-day, one-night Shanwanwan getaway ended in a blink. As sunset glow accompanied cooking smoke descending, I gathered a slanting sunray, spending a cool summer at Shanwanwan. A 20-degree early summer – you deserve it.