Hangzhou's Tonglu Shanwanwan: Viral Rafting, Sky Bridge, Glass Walkway... Looks Like It'll Be a Hit This Summer!

A few days ago, Grace visited a super fun, off-the-beaten-path, and thrilling adventure spot – Tonglu Shanwanwan Rapids Adventure Scenic Area!

It’s tucked away in Gaolian Village, Fenshui Town, Tonglu County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The river course runs through a stunning volcanic canyon, dotted with sheer volcanic cliffs, ravines, ancient trees, quirky rock formations, and thundering waterfalls – an incredible showcase of raw nature.

Here you’ll find East China’s highest vertical-drop rafting at 208 meters, along with an Insta-famous glass water slide, the heart-stopping sky suspension bridge called “Step by Step,” and the Cloud Fluttering Glass Bridge…

If you’re after adrenaline, thrills, and fun, want to challenge yourself, and are looking for a cool, ancient-style village to escape the heat this summer, you absolutely must come. How about during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday break? I’m afraid once it gets even hotter, the rafting will be completely packed!

Rafting: One Full Hour of Non-Stop Screams

As the car wound into the mountains, my heart was a mix of excitement and fear – especially because my travel buddies kept telling me this is the most intense rafting they’ve ever done in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region, bar none…

Gazing out at the dense, lush forest on the slopes, so wild and primeval, my nerves slowly settled. Maybe that’s just the power of nature, hehe.

Here, the entire rafting course is 3.5 kilometers long with a vertical drop of 208 meters. It’s said to be the largest vertical-drop rapids exploration area in East China.

I have to say, this might be one of the most heart-pumping rafting experiences I’ve ever had in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area! Especially at the start, speeding through the canyon, plunging down steep drops or twisting along hairpin turns – it feels just like a roller coaster, so exhilarating!

When we stopped, we splashed each other playfully. Such a fun rafting trip.

A heads-up to girls who like to look pretty: go for waterproof makeup… because mine was completely washed off before we’d even gone very far. Aaaaah!

High-Altitude Suspension Bridge: Heart-Stopping, 108 Meters Above the Valley Floor

This is a brand-new attraction that just opened this year. The bridge is 108 meters long, with a depth of 108 meters to the valley floor below! Feels like walking on clouds～

Walking on the suspension bridge with only open-slat wooden planks beneath you, the canyon drops away sheer and exposed, making it feel like you’re “suspended” in mid-air.

Shyly, I’ll admit: my legs turned to jelly the moment I saw it… especially when I watched my friends go first and then start wobbling it on purpose. I totally chickened out, I couldn’t do it…

They all encouraged me, and finally I mustered the courage to step onto those hollow planks, one by one. Don’t look down, and you’ll find it’s really not that scary! Seriously, don’t you dare call me brave – this thing looks terrifying but once you’re on it, it truly isn’t!

(Note: I took a quick photo on the first two planks without wearing safety ropes. Very dangerous! Don’t imitate – always wear safety gear!)

If you’ve got nerves of steel, go to the middle, look down, and you’ll see sheer cliffs and deep ravines, bamboo groves, and far-off peaks layered against the sky. Amidst the shock, the view is actually pretty spectacular, haha～

Cloud Fluttering Glass Bridge: Photo Op Hotspot

I’ve never been too afraid of “glass bridges.” Sure, it’s very high – 108 meters above the valley floor – and the walkway spans 168 meters, made entirely of transparent triple-layer laminated tempered glass.

Walking along it, mountain breezes sweep around you – so, so comfortable, like strolling along the edge of the sky.

For me, it’s more of a photo spot. The bridge is decorated with loads of bubble balls, so definitely come for the pics – incredibly photogenic!

Of course, if you’re afraid of heights, you must give it a try. It’s the best chance to conquer that fear!

Slippery Glass Rafting: Surfing the Mountain Cliffs

Another project I absolutely love! This viral glass rafting ride has been all over social media. The glass slide is 1,280 meters long with an 88-meter height difference from start to finish – the very first glass water slide in Hangzhou.

You’ll zoom through lush forests and trees, surfing between the cliffs!

You do this one in a raincoat, so no need to worry about getting soaked. Not at all, not one bit. I even held my phone the whole time filming!

It starts off gentle, then the speed picks up with more and more twists, screams non-stop, and a huge splash right at the finish.

The whole experience leaves you with that amazing “woohoo!” feeling. Even the most timid person will love it – not scary at all – and it’s a fantastic family-friendly activity!

Accommodation: Qinran Xiaozhu

We spent the night at a nearby guesthouse called “Qinran Xiaozhu.” A standalone villa, very clean and peaceful. The air feels especially fresh here. This was my room, warm and homey, with all the amenities – very convenient and comfortable. The hosts are incredibly nice, the kind of really genuine, kind-hearted people.

The bathroom was spotless and tidy, with quality toiletries, which made me feel truly at home.

Tonglu’s food surprised me with how tasty it was. The local farmhouse restaurants use fresh ingredients – fish, chicken, snails – all with a freshness you just can’t get in the city. And the cooking style is special, spicy but fragrant with umami. You simply have to come and taste it for yourself – you’ll love it!

Shanwanwan Rapids Adventure Scenic Area

Address: Gaolian Village, Fenshui Town, Tonglu County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province

(1) Visitors from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and other places: take Hangzhou Ring Expressway West, then switch to the Hangzhou-Huizhou Expressway. Exit at Yuqian Town, Lin'an. Follow S16 Provincial Road to Fenshui Town, pass Fuyuan Village, and continue to Gaolian Village, Shanwanwan Rapids Adventure Scenic Area.

(2) Take the Hangzhou-Xin'anjiang-Jingdezhen Expressway, exit at Tonglu, head to Tonglu County town, then via Yaolin Town and Fenshui Town, pass Fuyuan Village to Gaolian Village, Shanwanwan Rapids Adventure Scenic Area.