Tongtian River Rafting

The rafting on the Tongtian River is a way to experience the pulse of the Earth through one of humanity's most ancient methods of crossing water, tracing the wisdom of water's origins.

The Tongtian River flows through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, often called the "Third Pole of the World," alongside the polar regions. The geographical passages on both sides of the plateau serve as corridors connecting the civilizations of the East and West. Legend has it that the Tongtian River was a pure stream granted to the human world by the Queen Mother of the West after she subdued the Azure Dragon who had descended to the mortal realm. According to another legend, when the monk Tang Seng and his disciples returned to Chang'an after their pilgrimage, they passed through the Tongtian River, where the divine tortoise carrying their sacred scriptures drowned in the river. The famous Scripture Drying Platform is located here. As we drift down the river, enjoying the scenic views of the ancient villages on either side, we might even find the four towering jujube trees where Sha Wujing (the Sand Monk) once tethered the White Dragon Horse.

The old ferry on the Tongtian River has been in operation for over 1,000 years. Since ancient times, this area has been a vital route connecting Yushu and the regions of Sichuan, Qinghai, and Tibet, and an essential passage for the ancient Tang-Tibet Road. It was not only a key station for the trade and communication between Tibetans and Han Chinese, but also a significant center for the economic and cultural exchanges in the ancient Yushu region. The ancestors of the ferrymen lived by the river for generations, relying on their hardworking, kind, and simple nature to pass down the legendary history of this area.

Through rafting, we will explore this ancient river, feel the passage of time along its banks, and through these historical traces, gain a deeper understanding of the human spirit that flows through the Tongtian River Basin.