Shennong Stream – Picture Scroll of Serene Nature

Longchang Gorge

Longchang Gorge (龙昌峡) with the total length of 5.7km winds deeply like multiple entrances in the valley, and the entire gorge is less than 20 meters wide and looks really magnificent. There’s no wonder that the famous poet Du Fu in ancient Tang Dynasty praised this gorge no primitive and idyllic when he visited this amazing place. Besides, nowadays, during your boating time here, you could enjoy the beautiful reflection of the lush mountains, blue sky and white clouds in the water, appreciate the passing sceneries on the banks while you are still, and spend every second in the “picture scroll”.

Mianzhu Gorge

Mianzhu Gorge (绵竹峡) of 5 kilometers long is famous for its precipitous feature. Since this gorge is so narrow, with the narrowest part of no more than 5m, you could find a view called “Yixiantian”, which is a thin strip of the sky. While you are marveling at the unbelievable skill of nature, you could enjoy the colorful lush vegetation and fragrant floras on banks. Every corner is a chance to treat your eyes. Take the sampan to stroll along such a nice wonderland on earth.

Parrot Gorge

Parrot Gorge (Yingwu Gorge, 鹦鹉峡) is 7.5m long totally and featured with elegance. In this gorgeous place, visitors could admire the green hills standing on both banks with full mountains of blooming flowers, rose in spring, cottonrose hibiscus in summer, wild chrysanthemum in autumn and wintersweets in the cold winter season. Every blossom and every plant decorate Parrot Gorge so well to make it seem from afar many different excellent landscape painting works hanging in the sky.

Suspended Coffins

The burial of hanging coffin is a burial ceremony of ancient Ba people who are the ancestors of local Tujia ethnic group at Shennong Stream, having a long history of over 2,000 years. It is said the higher the coffin is hung on the cliff, the better official position and prosperous live the children of the dead people would get, which is because the world “coffin” and “official position” share the same pronunciation of “Guan” with the in Chinese. At present, if you visit Shennong Stream, you could find some very old coffins hanging in the small cave on the steep cliff at the gorge. However, the mystery of how ancient people put and hung and so heavy coffins up there has not been solved yet.

Local Sampan Drifting

Taking a small local sampan (豆荚船, peapod boat by local) to drift along the Shennong Gorge would be the best and happiest thing to enjoy the charming primitive sceneries and feel the simple and nice of Mother Nature. Since the stream is very natural without pollution, the extremely clear water could be seen, in which colorful and diverse shaped cobblestones would make your drifting more interesting. Board on the so lovely boat to enjoy the really antique and historical means of transportation in China.

— Chongqing(重庆) is known as the most essential starting point for a classic Yangtze River cruise. The city has gained international recognition in recent years for its unique tridimensional cityscape, 8D transportation system, and cyberpunk-style buildings and architecture, which have attracted a growing number of tourists to the city. Usually, a leisure landscape tour in Chongqing city requires 2~3 days. It’s recommended that you extend your journey to the surrounding UNESCO heritage sites like Wulong - the famous Karst Landscape in blockbuster Transformers (1-2 days) and Dazu - the last monumental works in the history of world grottoes art (1 day).

☛ 4 Days Chongqing Essence Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Useful Links: 1~3 Days Chongqing Tours 2024 | How to Plan a Chongqing Tour >>

— Chengdu(成都), a 1~1.5-hour high-speed train from Chongqing, is known as the hometown of the Giant Pandas and  UNESCO’s City of Gastronomy. Take 1~2 days to meet these cuties and keep yourself in the “laid-back” living pace like a local while wandering around parks, museums, ancient pedestrian streets, and temples in the downtown area, you will probably understand why people say Chengdu is a city you don't want to leave. Moreover, Chengdu is the gateway to so many UNESCO world heritage sites, including Jiuzhaigou (3 days), Mount Emei (2 days), Leshan Giant Buddha (1 day), Dujiangyan (0.5-1 day), etc., and astonishing hidden plateau - Western Sichuan (3~7 days).

☛ 8 Days Best of Sichuan with Yangtze Cruise Tour (with Chengdu/Emeishan/Leshan)
☛ 8 Days Beauty Tour to Jiuzhaigou & Yangtze River

Useful Links: 1~7 Days Chengdu Tours 2024 | Top Sichuan Tours 2024 | How to Plan a Chengdu Tour >>

— Zhangjiajie(张家界), a 4.5-hour two-train transfer from Yichang, offers the most distinct and iconic landscape of the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar. Let along adrenalin-pumping Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge and frightening skywalks and sharp zigzag driving roads at Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, the uncanny natural wonders in Zhangjiajie (3~5 Days) attracting countless adventurers and travel addicts from all over the world!

☛ 7 Days Nature Tour to Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie

Useful Links: 3~5 Days Zhangjiajie Tours 2024 | How to Plan a Zhangjiajie Tour >>

— Guilin(桂林), located 4-5 hours away by high-speed train from Chongqing, is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit destination in China. Generally, Li River, Yangshuo County, and Longji Rice Terraces are the three most popular and separate destinations.  For most travelers to Guilin, 3-5 days is enough to cover the highlights by using a private car. 

☛ 7 Days Idyllic Guilin & Yangtze River Cruise Tour

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Guests who are visiting China for the first time probably would choose Beijing (the capital of China, recommended travel days: 3~4 days), Shanghai (the largest and most developed and populated city of China, recommended travel days: 2~4 days), Guangzhou (the third biggest city in China, recommended travel days: 2~3 days) or Hong Kong (a convenient transit hub with mainland China, recommended travel days: 2~3 days) as their first stop, as all these four destinations process excellent infrastructure and multi-dimensional transportation networks connecting the whole of China. How to arrange your travel route? Our top-pick China Yangtze Tour itineraries may bring you some inspiration!

☛ (Beijing/Xian/Chongqing/Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai) 11 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

☛ (Beijing/Xian/Chengdu/Yangtze Cruise/Zhangjiajie/Shanghai) 15 Days China Best Treasure Tour with Yangtze Cruise & Zhangjiajie Landscape

☛ (Hong Kong/Guilin/Chengdu/Chongqing/Yangtze Cruise/Yichang/Shanghai) 12 Days China Splendid Tour from Hong Kong

☛ (Shanghai/Yichang/Yangtze Cruise/Chongqing/Chengdu/Lhasa/Xian/Beijing) 17 Days China Yangtze Tour with Tibet & Giant Panda Visit

☛ (Hong Kong/Guilin/Chengdu/Yangtze Cruise/Zhangjiajie/Shanghai/Xian/Beijing) 21 Days China Holiday with Yangtze River Cruise Tour

Useful Links: Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Beijing | Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Shanghai | Yangtze River Cruise Tour from Hong Kong >>

Check more details about 2024 Top China Yangtze Tours >>