Cool Summer, Thrilling Departure: Rafting in Lijiang’s Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon

📍 Lijiang · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 107 likes

Don’t say time is long; it’s never longer than the mountains along the way, the sunlight through the car window, the tunnel where light suddenly fades, or the next faraway place.

So young people, don’t let “next time,” “when I’m free,” or “when I’m on holiday” stall your travel plans. Be decisive, pack your bag. Whether it’s love, passion, or youth – they’re all found on the road of travel.

If you don’t travel, you grow old.

…Hurry up and hit the road, so we don’t one day say at each other’s funeral, “If only we’d gone then…”

In the Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon, right inside the Three Parallel Rivers World Natural Heritage area, lie villages of the Naxi, Bai, and Lisu people, living in harmony with nature. The gentle murmur of mountain streams, children splashing by the river, hamlets, fields, and hills with wisps of smoke from chimneys form a perfect landscape painting – a stark contrast to the roaring city traffic and crowded bus stops!

Because the Chongjiang River originates from Laojun Mountain, the rafting here is called Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon Rafting. Mind you don’t end up in Liming instead! At Shigu, turn left towards Shitou – self-driving friends, please take note.

It’s located on Shitou Road, Yonghong Village, Shitou Township, Yulong County, Lijiang City.

Only 20 kilometers from Laojun Mountain National Geopark.

The full rafting route is 6 kilometers long, with over 20 rapids and a 150-meter drop, taking more than an hour – absolutely exhilarating!

After breakfast, around 10:00am, set off from Lijiang. An hour’s drive brings you to Shigu Town at the First Bend of the Yangtze River (upon arrival, try the local specialty, Shigu jelly, at your own expense – they say this is the real deal). Then, head to Stone Peach Blossom Village to walk across an old country bridge and see a traditional water mill. Continue south along the Chongjiang River all the way to the Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon Rafting visitor center.

Arriving at the upper dock, everything is ready. Gear up – the thick waterproof suit is a dead giveaway that you’re definitely going to get wet on this trip.

Hop into an inflatable raft and drift downstream from the mountains.

Glide through green hills and clear waters; the course widens and narrows by turns. The current sometimes charges like a tiger, then eases to a gentle flow.

What lies ahead is a rush of the unknown.

Thrilling rapids one after another, and one shriek after another – it’s a splash-filled, face-soaking (read: getting wet) adventure from the get-go.

The raft goes with the flow. When you drift to the middle and lower sections,

the channel calms down and the speed drops.

After all that adrenaline, it’s time to quietly savour the crystal-clear water and marvel at the majestic mountains.

Fresh, pristine air greets you as towering cliffs and lush forests line both banks.

After roughly one hour, you finally reach the end. The entire trip is heart-pounding, thrilling, yet leaves you wanting more.

The first half of Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon Rafting is relatively wild and exciting, the second half much tamer. No paddles are needed for the whole journey.

Each raft comes with a guide. Letting it drift naturally takes about an hour.

One important note: during the ride, always grip the handrails firmly and keep your body as low as possible to prevent falling out, capsizing, or bumping into things.

After all that talk, are you tempted yet?

Self-drive (car not included): ticket price 198 CNY/person (special rate for Lijiang locals with ID: 100 CNY/person), including rafting, life jacket, and helmet. Insurance is 5 CNY/person. Waterproof suit rental is 30 CNY/piece (optional).

Guided group tour (all-inclusive): 298 CNY/person.

Recommended itinerary: https://huodong.ctrip.com/ottd-activity/dest/t35766561.html

A trip from Lijiang city to Laojun Mountain Grand Canyon can be a day trip. You can also stay overnight at a nearby youth hostel, experience an ethnic bonfire party, and enjoy the morning rural scenery. The visitor center serves local specialties like wild mushrooms, free-range chicken, and ham.

The latest booking time is before 10:00am on the day, and you should arrive before 2:00pm.

Everyone should bring a change of clothes (including underwear).

Bring your own sunscreen during the trip.

Keep an eye on your children (children over 1.2 meters tall and over 8 years old can raft, but must be accompanied by a parent!).

Generally, rafting is only affected by floods. If a flood occurs, rafting must stop. During the rainy season, please enquire in advance about operating conditions. As long as there’s no flood, overcast or rainy weather won’t disrupt the rafting.

In the past, rafting stopped in October because the weather turned cool, the water temperature dropped, and getting wet was unbearably cold. Now, there’s a waterproof suit available (at your own cost: 30 CNY per use). It’s extremely effective and genuinely keeps you dry (though it might have a bit of an odour!). No matter if it’s cloudy, rainy, or even autumn and winter, you can raft! This truly ushers in a new, stay-dry rafting mode!

Rafting is highly entertaining and interactive, especially suited for families or group activities. The cheerful, interactive atmosphere helps strengthen bonds between people. It’s a real stress reliever and a way to truly relax.

Still haven’t decided where to go for fun?

Book the Laojun Mountain Canyon Rafting right away.

The thrill of rafting and the serenity of the countryside will undoubtedly give you an unforgettable trip.

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