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. A rowboat tour will allow you to experience a delightful adventure along this newly opened pristine river flowing swiftly from north to south through deep gorges. The section of the river designated for this adventure is twentykilometers long and passes along the Mianzhuxia, Yingwuxia and Longchangxia. An arrow-like rowboat 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 may be a bit risky yet it is an exhilarating thrill to battle nature. (More information: Travel China Guide.Com and Yangtze River Tour.Com).
 
Originating at Shennongjia in Hubei Province, it enters the Yangtze River at the eastern mouth of the Wu Gorge. A section about 20 kilometers between Yinwu Gorge and Longchuan Gorge is for drifting. The landscape on both banks of the river is unique and tranquil and the water is clear. By taking a small hand-rowing boat you will begin to drift quickly and you will find it to be a thrilling and an exciting experience.

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 a total of 17 rivers and streams flow into it. One of the most important destinations for the Yangtze Three Gorges tour.

The crystal clear stream 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 translucent and unpolluted water flows swiftly. One exciting sport played here is "Gliding in Water". The section of the river designated for this adventure is twenty kilometers long and passes along the Mianzhu, Yingwu and Longchang Gorges. One can ride a boat starting along a branch of the Shennong Stream and glide past the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu Gorge, and then you enter the main stream of the Shennong.

The Mianzhu Gorge can be best described as precipitous, with rocky cliffs rising steeply on both sides of the narrow river. Stalactites o f all shapes and sizes hang from the cliffs. The narrowest point of the gorge is only a bit over four meters wide. Here, the rocky walls stand so close to the river that they almost join together in the sky. This spot is called Yixiantian (A Rift in the Sky).

ingwu Gorge is famous for its natural beauty. Here, you can find flowers in full blossoms on all sides against the background of green hills; you can hear birds singing in the bushes and woods; you can walk through the streams and take a drink in the clear springs; here, you can watch the "three color spring" shooting out of the cliff to form a 100' odd meter colored belt in mid-air. The Swallow Cave is even more mysterious and astonishing. This cave, home to thousands of short beaked golden swallows, is about 80m in height with a width of 30m. About 50m further into the cave, you can see tier upon tier of lava like terraced fields extending before your eyes. This spot is called the Thousand Fallow- Fields.

Longchang Gorge is noted for its magnificence. Here the river cuts through the sheering rocky cliffs and winds its way down into the deep gully. Peak Baota (Tower) thrusts abruptly into the sky, and traces of ancient battles can still be found.

Drifting on the local "peapod", you'll be able to enjoy not only the beautiful scenery along the river, but also see cliff-wallows swishing in the air, groups of monkeys sporting among the trees, shoals of fish swimming in the clear water, as well as ancient coffins in the rocky crevices left by the Ba people.