Tonglu Chuiyun Tongtian River: A New Summer Vacation Destination for Endless Fun

July in Hangzhou brings the most sweltering days of the year, when even blue skies and white clouds fail to lift the spirits. On a scorching afternoon, the very air carries waves of heat, lingering until midnight when a hint of coolness finally arrives. The desire to escape the heat becomes a city dweller's dream. But where to flee? Just over an hour's drive from Hangzhou, in Tonglu County, lies a new summer retreat—Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area. Here, you can experience the thrill of a glass skywalk; here, you can explore a cave where the temperature stays at a constant 18°C year-round; here, with a few good friends, you can enjoy the unique fun of a glass slide rafting adventure.

【Chuiyun Tongtian River – A Summer Gift of 18° Coolness】

After a month-long rainy season, it finally ended at the tail of July. Hangzhou welcomed back its long-lost blue skies and white clouds, and with the clearing weather, the city returned to its scorching summer heat. A restless heart urged me to go out, so I invited a few friends for a road trip from Hangzhou. The longer I travel, the more I love road trips—enjoying the exclusive space among friends, laughter mingling with pleasant melodies from the stereo. In just over an hour, we arrived at our destination: Chuiyun Tongtian River Scenic Area.

I've been to many places and visited many karst caves. While China's karst caves are not exactly everywhere, they do dot the landscape from Northeast to Southwest to Central China. Though different in location, those caves all felt somewhat similar to me, but Chuiyun Tongtian River is truly unique—because of its distinctive way of touring, because of its exquisite features...

Most caves I've visited are explored on foot, and occasionally by boat, but a combination of boat ride and on-foot exploration like here is a first. We boarded a small boat at the dock, where the boatman pushed off with a bamboo pole, gently propelling us forward. Before entering the cave, the view was all lush greenery stretching as far as the eye could see, but under the midday sun, there was little mood to admire it; I just looked forward to getting inside.

Even when the boat was still some distance from the cave entrance, waves of cool air already greeted us—a freshness more comfortable than any air-conditioned room in summer. Chuiyun Tongtian River, with its dense forests and well-preserved vegetation, retains a great deal of moisture. The surface water from the vast forest converges in a funnel-shaped sky hole, then cascades down the winding, natural riverbed to form the massive water source inside Chuiyun Cave—hence the name 'Tongtian River' (Sky-Reaching River).

Chuiyun Tongtian River has long been Tonglu’s most dazzling tourism calling card, developed since the last century. Today, it keeps improving and beautifying, all to offer us an exceptional visual feast. Inside, it is warm in winter and cool in summer, with fresh air and clear water, maintaining a constant 18°C. What makes Chuiyun Tongtian River so special is that there is a river within the cave, and scenery within the river. Drifting on a small boat, taking in the views, you fully enjoy the cave’s refreshing coolness.

When visiting karst caves, guides often say, 'Three parts resemblance, seven parts imagination.' But at Chuiyun Tongtian River, it's more like 'Three parts imagination, seven parts resemblance,' because every spot in the water cave can be instantly recognized without any description—the Jiangnan Mongolian yurt, the Grand View Garden on the water, and the Stone Buddha Cave all look uncannily like their namesakes.

In the water cave, there is no distinction between day and night; time flows quietly here, like the trickling spring water. Everywhere bears the marks of time, such as the spectacular stalactites, slowly formed over 400,000 years. Sitting on the boat, looking at the still-growing stalactites, you may find yourself and this world in a quiet moment, enjoying the natural wonders carved by the ages.

【Ascending Lingyun Sky Bridge – Feel the Unique Thrill of Standing Suspended 100 Meters High】

As the scenic area continues to develop, there is now much more to do at Chuiyun Tongtian River than just the underground river cave. After exiting the cave, follow the wooden boardwalk uphill, and you will pass the Angel Corridor and Angel Wings—insta-worthy photo spots. A snap here makes for a lovely travel memory, and even casual shots turn out beautifully.

Climbing higher, we arrived at Lingyun Sky Bridge, standing 150 meters above sea level, towering between two mountains. This glass bridge is 150 meters high (nearly 50 stories) and 300 meters long—rarely seen in East China.

Even before stepping onto the bridge, thrilled screams from those already on it filled the air, and I could feel the excitement building. To protect the glass and prevent slipping, every visitor must wear shoe covers provided at the ticket check.

Glass bridges and glass walkways are not new to me. A few years ago, when they were still uncommon in domestic scenic spots, I visited the famous glass walkway in Zhangjiajie. That cliff-side walkway didn't jut out much and the glass was already scratched, making it hard to see the view below clearly, which diminished the thrill—a common problem at many glass bridge attractions. But the moment I stepped onto Lingyun Sky Bridge, the clean glass offered a crystal-clear view of the deep valley below, instantly restoring the long-lost sense of vertigo.

Standing on the suspended bridge, the first impression is breathtaking. The almost completely unsupported linear bridge hangs between two mountains, swaying slightly with every step, sending my adrenaline soaring. Pausing at the center, gazing at the blue sky, white clouds, green waters, and lush hills, my mood lifted wonderfully.

Looking down from the bridge, you can see the emerald lake where we boarded the boat to enter the cave, surrounded by verdant vegetation, and further out, the homes of people living in this beautiful landscape. After crossing Lingyun Sky Bridge, you reach the Rainbow Corridor, an elegantly styled resting spot that lets you soothe your jangled nerves.

【Sky Glide – High-Altitude Glass Slide, a Different Kind of Cool Experience】

The part I most anticipated was the Sky Glide. The name might puzzle you at first—what exactly is 'Sky Glide'? It's actually the currently popular glass slide rafting: riding a rubber dinghy through splashing water, weaving through dense bamboo groves with friends, drifting along with joyful shouts, enjoying the coolness of midsummer.

The entire glass slide is 1,350 meters long, with a height difference of 120 meters from top to bottom—practically spiraling down from the glass bridge height. You can feel the excitement before even taking the ride. From above, the spiraling slide is surrounded by thick forest, and the initial slope is very steep.

The water in the slide is not tap water but clean, clear river water channeled from Tongtian River. If you seek thrills without getting wet, free full-body raincoats are provided at the entrance. Sitting in a brand-new kayak, you launch at the signal, zipping through like a roller coaster, splashing water, diving and drifting, experiencing a 720° chain of spins—a unique blend of speed and passion, an unparalleled release of body and mind; this is what a true 'sky dash' feels like.

The glass slide is set within bamboo forest, so as you glide, you weave through the sea of bamboo, with scenery changing at every turn—each view naturally beautiful, breathtakingly stunning. While enjoying the summer's cool thrill, you also get an incomparable visual treat.

With a big splash, our kayak reached the finish, marking the end of this refreshing journey—but the adventure at Chuiyun Tongtian River isn't over yet. From the end of the Sky Glide, follow the wooden boardwalk forward to the insta-famous Bird's Nest photo spot. Remember Bali's iconic bird nests? No need to go to Bali—Tonglu, Hangzhou, has one too, and photos here are just as stunning.

Chuiyun Shouting Spring is a fun interactive activity with friends and a great way to release stress. As the sign says, sometimes you need to let your emotions out. In everyday life, you might need to hold back, but here you can shout as loud as you want. When the lake water erupts in response to your shouts, your bold exclamations will earn applause from other visitors.

【Langshi Golden Beach – A Bamboo Raft Ride】

Bamboo rafting is another delightful way to cool off in summer, and just a ten-minute drive from Chuiyun Tongtian River lies Langshi Golden Beach, originally called Tongxi Rafting, located in Langshi Village by Tianmu Creek. This place is most famous for bamboo rafting, but also offers dragon boat racing, water parks, outdoor adventure, rustic barbecues, horseback riding on the grassy flats, and tent camping.

On the wide river, a bamboo raft drifts downstream. The ride is smooth and perfect for leisurely sightseeing. Dense forests on both banks recede gradually, and the reflection of blue sky and white clouds on the water is breathtaking—a completely different rafting experience.

I never imagined such a place existed in Tonglu, Hangzhou. Having been here, I've fallen in love with it—the landscapes, the coolness, the unique thrills that no other place can offer. I only hope that your cool summer also starts at Chuiyun Tongtian River, and that if you come, you too will fall in love with this place.