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The 60-kilometer tributary of the Yangtze River, rises in the
southern part of Shennongjia Natural Reserve and joins the Yangtze
at Xirangkou in Hubei's Badong County. It runs out of the deep
valley through the forest at a height of 3000m above sea level,
and rushes southward between rocky cliffs. It covers 60 km and
totally 17 rivers and streams flow into it. One of the most
important ports of call for Yangtze Three Gorges tour. The crystal
clear steam flows from north to south through deep gorges and
finally it merges with the Yangtze at the east of the mouth
of Wu Gorge. The crystal clear and unpolluted water flows swiftly.
A tour by sampan is just like a shooting arrow. One exciting
sport played here is "Gliding in Water". The section
of the river earmarked for this game is twenty kilometers long
and passes along the Mianzhu, Yingwu and Longchang Gorges. One
rides a boat starting in a branch of the Shennong Stream and
glides past the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu Gorge and then enters
the main stream of the Shennong. The boat glides over the cobble-strewn
river bed, its bottom often banging against the stones. It is
not without risk yet exhilarating. It is thrilling to battle
with the nature. The boat will raft to a Longchuanhe Village
where the Tujia ethnic group lives. Being the descendents of
ancient Ba people, they are hardworking and hospitable and are
good at singing and dancing. Normally some performance by the
local people will be included after the boat drifting. The Shennong
Stream is newly opened,designed as a substitute of the Lesser
Three Gorges.
But it seems more popular. Visitors from worldwide have been
rating this part the highlight of the entire trip. Like the
neighboring Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan County, the ancient
plank path runs along the river, mysterious ancient coffins
suspended high on the cliff, wild monkeys running under the
primitive trees and bushes. Dark green clear water, dark green
trees, dark green mountains along the stream stretch and disappear
into faraway.
The Shennong Stream fascinates the tourists with its special
virtues of serenity, uniqueness, pr Floating on a peapod boat,
you can appreciate not only the natural scenes all the way,
but also the joys and excitement in fighting the winds and waves.
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