01Nature Escape
Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area
东江湖旅游区
All Ages
Admission
Ticketed scenic area; mist-viewing and lake-cruise cave routes are priced separately.
Typical Visit
Half day to full day
Quick Facts
Ticket
Full-course rafting is CNY 199; insurance, meals, transport packages, and family-route products may be priced separately.
Hours
Seasonal daytime operation, mainly in summer; rafting can be adjusted or suspended for heavy rain, high water, low temperature, or safety conditions.
Transport
No metro. Navigate to Mangshan Grand Canyon Rafting Visitor Center; from Chenzhou West Railway Station, allow around 1 hour 50 minutes by car plus buffer time.
Duration
Half day including ticketing, shuttle, rafting, shower, and changing
Best Time
Summer rafting season; avoid thunderstorms, heavy rain, abnormal water levels, and cold conditions
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Confirm whether rafting is operating that day
This is a strongly seasonal activity, usually concentrated in summer.
Tip:Heavy rain, rising water, low temperatures, or unsafe river conditions may lead the operator to adjust or suspend rafting.
2
Navigate to Mangshan Grand Canyon Rafting Visitor Center
It is in the Mangshan area, but it is not part of the Wuzhi Peak mountain route. From Chenzhou West Railway Station, allow about 1 hour 50 minutes by car.
Tip:Leave a wider time buffer because mountain roads, parking, ticketing, and shuttle arrangements can add time.
3
Choose full-course rafting or family half-course rafting
The full course is about 9.8 kilometers with a large drop and takes around 2-2.5 hours. The family half course is about 4.5 kilometers.
Tip:Choose based on stamina and comfort level, not only on price.
4
Use the visitor-center process
At the visitor center, exchange tickets, put on your life jacket and helmet, then take the scenic shuttle to the starting point.
Tip:After rafting, you usually return to the visitor center to shower and change clothes. Do not bring valuables onto the raft.
5
Follow safety restrictions strictly
Visitors with heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, pregnancy, and similar conditions should not raft.
Tip:Children's rules, height limits, age limits, and adult-accompaniment requirements should follow the operator's same-day policy.
Highlights
- Natural gorge scenery, water volume, and drop are the main appeal, especially on the full course.
- The family half course is calmer and better for visitors who mainly want water play and valley views.
- Showers and changing facilities at the visitor center make the return trip easier.
- It is a strong summer cooling activity, but the experience depends heavily on water level, weather, and same-day operation.
- The river time is long enough to deserve a dedicated half-day, not a rushed add-on.
Insider Tips
✦Wear heel-strap water shoes, creek shoes, or closed-toe sandals. Ordinary flip-flops are very likely to be washed away.
✦Bring a full change of clothes, towel, phone waterproof pouch, and basic washing items. You should expect to get completely wet.
✦Do not arrive too late. Rafting ticket checks and departure times may have cutoffs, and late arrival can mean missing the activity.
✦Do not raft during thunderstorms, after heavy rain, or when water levels are abnormal. Safety matters more than keeping the itinerary complete.
✦Avoid pairing rafting with a tiring mountain hike on the same day. Wet clothes, possible chill, and the return drive all take energy.
More Chenzhou Attractions
02City Guide
Xiaodongjiang
小东江
All Ages
Admission
Ticket required through Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area route tickets.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
03City Guide
Xiaodongjiang Fog Viewing Platform
小东江观雾台
All Ages
Admission
Ticket required through Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area route tickets; mist-focused routes may be enough if you skip longer lake projects.
Typical Visit
1.5-3 hours
04Nature Escape
Longjing Canyon
龙景峡谷
All Ages
Admission
Included in applicable Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area route tickets; there is no separate standalone city access ticket.
Typical Visit
30-60 minutes for the short loop; longer if climbing the extended route
05City Guide
Doushuai Lingyan
兜率灵岩
All Ages
Admission
Requires a Dongjiang Lake route ticket that includes the boat and cave visit.
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours on the island, plus boat and transfer time
06City Guide
Bailang Scenic Area
白廊景区
All Ages
Admission
Free entry to the lakeside area; boats, island visits, and some photo projects may charge separately.
Typical Visit
2-4 hours; longer with a lakeside stay