Self-Drive to Zhejiang’s Forgotten Paradise, Filming Site of “Back to Field”: 2 Days 1 Night for Just 500 RMB per Person

Tonglu, a hidden paradise tucked away in Zhejiang, is a place of crystal-clear streams and lush green hills. If the weather cooperates, you may even find yourself wrapped in drifting veils of mist. This is also where the second season of the hit variety show “Back to Field” was filmed. Huang Lei, He Jiong, along with Henry Lau and Peng Yuchang, once lived here for a time, and visits from many celebrities finally drew public attention to this long-overlooked fairyland.

Now, “Back to Field” is already in its fourth season, but the Mushroom House they left behind continues its life here. Even Jack Ma and Yao Ming have partnered to open a guesthouse in little Tonglu, which is home to many of China’s most exclusive bespoke inns. Only scenery this stunning could justify such high room rates! At the same time, this is where you’ll find the most thrilling rafting in all of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai—Huxiao Gorge Rafting. Drive here for a two-day, one-night weekend getaway, and you absolutely cannot miss this itinerary.

【Itinerary】

Drive from Hangzhou to Tonglu → Huxiao Gorge Rafting → Yunlu Farmhouse Restaurant → Li Family No. 22 Homestay

【The Most Thrilling Rafting – Huxiao Gorge Rafting】

As the sweltering heat of summer approaches, there’s no better time for people in the free-shipping region (Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai) to go rafting. And when it comes to rafting hotspots in the Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang rightfully takes the crown, with Huxiao Gorge Rafting the most exhilarating of them all. There’s a saying: “After the Five Great Mountains, no mountain impresses; after Huxiao Gorge, no water amuses.” It truly speaks to the place this rafting holds in travelers’ hearts.

Folks from the Delta are no strangers to rafting in Zhejiang—out of ten people, at least nine have done it. But if you haven’t tried Huxiao Gorge, you can’t claim to have conquered the region’s rapids. Tonglu’s Huxiao Gorge Rafting is hailed as “the No.1 rafting in East China.” With its nine consecutive high-speed drops right from the start, it’s a scream machine. Big elevation changes, powerful water volume, many creek sections—and since it’s supplied by a reservoir, you can raft anytime without waiting. Here, you experience the ultimate white-water thrill.

The name “Huxiao Gorge” (literally “Tiger Roar Gorge”) instantly brings to mind Tiger Leaping Gorge and its raging, churning currents that leave visitors awestruck. Yet the torrents here are no less dramatic—arguably even more so. The full rafting course stretches 10 kilometers, with a vertical drop of around 260 meters from start to finish. The whole ride lasts over an hour and a half. Sitting in a rubber raft, you glide through mountain ravines, the surging water driving you ever forward. The gorge echoes with the screams of rafters, blended with the tiger-like roar of the water, composing the valley’s most stirring symphony.

Every summer, I take my family to escape the heat in Zhejiang’s mountain valleys, and rafting is never to be missed. I’ve tried rafts of all sizes across Zhejiang but never dared to take on Huxiao Gorge—its reputation for thrills is legendary, and you need to brace yourself mentally. This time, I finally plucked up the courage to try it and enjoy a rare cool summer.

First, we head to the Huxiao Gorge Rafting base camp. Here, you can change into swimwear and gear up at designated spots with a life jacket and safety helmet, then hop on a shuttle bus to the put-in point. Try not to bring much with you—wallets, phones, and other valuables are best left behind, as the rapids make retrieval nearly impossible if anything falls in.

After a thorough check by the staff at the launch point, you climb into your raft and begin a heart-pounding adventure.

So why is Huxiao Gorge Rafting so extreme? Many rafting courses start with a gentler section to let you adjust. But not Huxiao Gorge. Within seconds of boarding, you’re plunged into a high-drop chute, the rushing water hurtling your raft forward. It’s as if countless watery hands are swiftly passing your boat along, splashes flying so thick they blind you. No sooner have you cleared the first slope than your raft is half full of water and you’re soaked to the bone. Right from the get-go, it throws down the gauntlet, forcing you to adapt fast to this adrenaline rush.

And the thrill is just beginning. There are nine such high-drop rapid sections, one after another, with barely a moment to catch your breath. For those a bit timid, it’s a huge challenge, and shrieks pierce the air constantly. But if your boyfriend is sitting across from you, this is his time to shine. Charge through multiple rapids, and soon your blood is pumping, a craving for excitement igniting inside you. You’ll wish the splashes were bigger, the drops steeper—may the adrenaline keep surging!

Despite the nonstop thrills, you needn’t worry about safety at all. The entire course is monitored by cameras so your situation is seen in real time; staff can even shout out to ask if you need help. At every intense spot, lifeguards stand ready to assist, and a host of other safety measures are in place—truly a world-class safety system. You won’t have a thing to fear.

After conquering the nine consecutive high-drop slides, you’ll enter a few wide, calm stretches. This is where water guns, pots, or any container come into play. Friends or strangers, old pals or new—just go for it! Let ‘em taste the might of your water cannon. These areas become natural water-fight playgrounds, where everyone, regardless of acquaintance, frolics together, finding simple, pure joy in friendly combat.

Huxiao Gorge Rafting always serves up surprises; you can never predict what’s next. Sometimes a sudden steep drop makes you squeeze your eyes shut and scream; other times, you drift into a gentle stretch, admiring the lush bamboo forests on both banks, a moment of leisure reminiscent of the poetic line, “amidst the apes’ incessant calls, my skiff has passed ten thousand peaks.”

But stay on your toes—the most thrilling part is the final punch. Just before the finish line, there’s a slope that is the highlight of the entire ride. An enormous drop sends you plunging into the water, spray erupting like a tiger’s roar, so dense you can’t see if anyone is inside until the mist clears to reveal the rafters.

Just how intense is Huxiao Gorge? Staff told me they often see women, life jackets and helmets in hand, walking back from the launch point after deciding it’s too much. After those nine high-drop sections, some find it so overwhelming they get off at calmer spots and walk back slowly.

If you can’t visit the ocean, come feel the rush of Huxiao Gorge rafting instead. Charge through winding, turbulent streams, and let the cool splashes energize you. The mighty army of water droplets challenges you to a face-off in Huxiao Gorge—who will win? You decide by taking the challenge. The thrilling nine high-speed descents are full of surprises, and the 10-kilometer journey has absolutely no dull moments, keeping your excitement at a peak all the way to the end.

【TIPS】

1. Before rafting, bring a complete change of dry clothes. It’s best to wear your own swimsuit. The scenic area has dedicated shower rooms where you can enjoy a free hot shower and blow-dry your hair—facilities are excellent.

2. Store valuables securely. Small accessories are best removed in advance. Phones and electronic devices are not recommended to carry, as the ride is so wild that lost items are extremely hard to recover.

3. Ladies who love their skin should apply sunscreen thoroughly. Some river sections lack shade, and after being soaked in summer sun, it’s easy to get burned.

【The Most Authentic Farmhouse Food – Yunlu Farmhouse Restaurant】

Many visitors come here eager to sample local organic vegetables—produce that’s rare in cities and would cost a lot of time and money. But in the land where these organic goodies originate, they’re abundant. Free-range farm chicken, plump fish from the pond—these are mountain and sea delicacies no savvy traveler would miss.

After the rafting, you’ll be ravenous. How could you not treat yourself to something delicious? We went with the flow and, not far from the scenic area, came across a town. A restaurant named “Yunlu Farmhouse Restaurant” caught our eye, especially the sign advertising water-tower cakes—they looked so tempting we walked right in.

The restaurant seemed newly renovated, with a faint fragrance of wood, bright, clean, and a touch of old-world charm. The ground floor is the main dining area, while the second floor has private rooms. The owner and waitstaff were very friendly, checking on how we were enjoying the food and whether it suited our taste—very thoughtful. Service was swift, and they even offered sunflower seeds.

The star from the outside sign was the water-tower cake, a signature local snack. These cakes are made with plenty of fermented rice, steamed and served hot—sweet, fragrant, and utterly memorable.

We had a sea bream soup pot, a fish I’d never seen before, something like catfish but not quite, from Qiandao Lake. The flesh was wonderfully springy, the broth milky white and very delicate—the restaurant’s top recommendation, a must-order.

“Immortal Chicken” is prepared with just a little water and a secret spice blend, then braised for three to four hours. It needs to be pre-ordered and has a limited daily quantity. The whole chicken arrives at the table; after everyone takes photos, it’s taken back to be cut into pieces. One bite and you’ll feel like an immortal. The chicken soup is an unmissable tonic—I downed five bowls in a row.

Earthenware pot of local eel, cleaned meticulously but kept bone-in for presentation. Spicy, numbing, and fragrant, absolutely delicious!

River shrimp are scooped from local waters, small but incredibly fresh. Lightly fried until the shells are crispy, so you can eat them whole without peeling.

Braised dried bamboo shoots, made with local dried shoots and cured pork, stir-fried with chili peppers. The shoots soak up the meaty juices, creating deep savory flavors, while the pork sheds its excess fat—rich without being greasy, perfect with rice.

We ordered many more dishes, and every single one was excellent. You can pretty much close your eyes and point at random without hitting a dud. And the value is fantastic—you can feast to full satisfaction for around a hundred yuan per person. Truly authentic, home-style local cooking.

【The Most Poetic Stay – Li Family No. 22】

Finally, the question of where to stay. Tonglu boasts many luxury boutique inns, and the original Mushroom House is available for bookings. The guesthouse co-founded by Yao Ming and Jack Ma is also a super popular photo spot, and rumor has it there’s a “Yao Ming Room” designed to his height—even the name sounds fascinating. But these high-end places cost over a thousand yuan a night, which can be a stretch for budget-conscious travelers.

Luckily, beyond those big-name inns, there are plenty of high-value alternatives. We chose No. 22 in nearby Lijia Village. Doesn’t the name sound quirky? What kind of guesthouse name is that? Well, the whole village is called Lijia (Li Family) Village, and each house’s number becomes the guesthouse’s name, like “Lijia No. 22.” Isn’t that interesting?

The homestay occupies a whole villa, with each floor converted into guest rooms. There’s also a huge shared living area where you can watch open-air movies in the courtyard or gather in the living room to chat and watch TV. It instantly feels like home, down-to-earth and welcoming.

I took a king room for myself—spacious and clean, with high-quality bedding. Soft yet supportive, it was perfect for recovering from a tiring day of rafting. And the price was very reasonable, just a few hundred yuan per night.

We needed to leave early the next morning, around 6 a.m., and had to ask the hostess to get up early to prepare us a packed breakfast. Without a second thought, she agreed, so warm and kind. It truly felt like being back home, looked after by your own family.

All told, 500 yuan per person gets you a divine weekend in Tonglu. Isn’t that incredible value? Would you go? Do you have other fun spots in Tonglu to recommend? Let’s chat in the comments!