Badong
Badong - the western town of Hubei Province - right below
the Wu Gorge is a frequent stop for most cruises.
In ancient times, Badong was situated on the other side of
the Yangtze and belonged to the State of Ba; in the Song Dynasty
(960-1279) the town was moved to the southern bank.
The adventurous cruise along the Shennong Stream is the main
reason for making a stop at this town. The Shennong Stream
is a small tributary of the Yangtze boasting gorges that rival
those of the Daning River and is visited by many tourist ships
as an alternative to the Daning River.
Other architectural buildings include the Autumn Wind Pavilion
(Qiufeng Ting) and the White Cloud Pavilion (Baiyun
Ting). Local products include tung oil, lacquer, tea,
medicinal herbs and animal skins.
 
Shennong Stream
Shennong Stream, a tributary of the Yangtze River, rises in
the southern part of Shennongjia Natural Reserve. It joins
the Yangtze at Xirangkou in Hubei's Badong County.
With crystal clear steam flows swiftly from north to south
through deep gorges, a sampan tour will allow you to experience
a speedy adventure along this newly opened unspoiled river.
An arrow-like sampan glides past the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu
Gorge and then enters the main stream of the Shennong. The
boat glides over the cobble-strewn riverbed with its bottom
often banging against the stones. It is not without risk yet
exhilarating. It is thrilling to battle with the nature.
 Another
striking scene is "Tracking through the Rapids".
Trackers begin their heavy work of making many tons of cypress
go uphill on a fiercely resisting roadway of water. The irresistible
force of their cooperation and the bronze-colored skins represent
the masculine and bravery.
Besides the rafting and sampan, you may also be dazzled by
riverside scenery. Like the neighboring Three
Little Gorges in Wushan
County, the ancient plank path runs along the river, mysterious
ancient coffins hanging 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.
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