Meng Dong River Drifting

Drifting	Drifting

The topography of China is high in the west and low in the east. Rivers flow from west to east and there are scattered lakes in the south and north. This configuration provides good conditions for drifting tours. There are rapid streams, dangerous shoals and calm rivers. Tourists can travel on boats or skin rafts against the current or with it. For those who travel by raft there is a satisfaction of having challenged and conquered nature.

The Mengdong River Scenic Zone is in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan, the birthplace of the Tujia nationality. The drifting covers about 47km. The river flows through steep country with high cliffs and deep valleys. The waterway is narrow and the flow is rapid which makes the tour exciting. Tourists can see many Tujia style houses which are on stilts in the water at both banks. There are also the Xizhou bronze pillars, important cultural relics under the key protection of the state in the ancient town of Wangcun on the lower reaches of the river.

On the drifting boat, seeing mountains on both sides passing quickly and the stream rolling on with roars, one feels as if they were dropping to the deep valley from the sky, or jumping to the air from the ground, or galloping on horse backs, or riding clouds and mist. With great admiration, one feels shocked first and then delighted. The drifting is extraordinarily thrilling and one will never forget it!