TauntonBob

2017-11-22 09:47:09

A trip up the Shennong Stream was included as an excursion from our cruise ship. Starting in a medium size ferry, you then transfer to small, shallow boats rowed by 4 or 5 oarsmen from the local Tujia ethnic minority. The scenery is stunning. Do take some money for the gift shop at the ferry transfer point, as money spent here will help the Tujia people. There is also a book about them that you can buy.One word of warning. The small boats are difficult to get in and out of, and not too stable, so I would not recommend it to anyone with less than full mobility.

GregR578

2018-03-22 07:39:05

The trip up and back the Shennong Stream to see the ancient minority culture was very nice. A ferry ride that was fast enough to make good time, yet slow enough to take pictures was enjoyable, especially having the wind bathe over us on a hot, hot day. The trip was included in our cruise cost and was well worth the few hours we took. I would not have paid for the excursion, but we did enjoy the shopping at the end of the stream and the beauty of the gorge.

regulartraveller01

2017-12-02 10:37:37

Visited last May. After two boat changes we were seated in the long shallow boats to travel the Shennong stream pulled by boatmen - against the current! We passed small caves and waterfalls. Water levels were low and the boatmen literally dragged the boats through. It made for a pretty change.

Punchanella

2018-03-19 06:30:37

Our Shennong Stream adventure was an excursion from our Victoria Cruise Line downstream Yangtze River cruise. From our cruise ship we boarded a large wooden vessel which took us on a relaxing journey along some of the smaller tributaries of the Yangtze ,namely the Shennong. On this very relaxing voyage we were privy to beautiful views of the wildlife and natural landscape of that area, we even spotted a group of wild monkeys playing along the reeds and rock formations. Once we reached our destination on the Shennong ,we left the larger vessel and boarded wooden long boats which held about 12 passengers each. Once we donned the provided orange life jackets, we were off! These long boats were propelled by a group of amazing men known as the Zangtze Boatmen. This group of petit , somewhat scantly clad men ,exhibited brute strength and coordination as they propelled us against the flow of the stream. There was a young woman at the front of our boat who sang and gave narration on the region along the way. Sure, we passed waterfalls and beautiful natural scenery, even a few caves and caverns along the way. There was also a man made rope bridge across the stream, said to be built and used by the natives. But, in my opinion the main show was the sheer talent and skill of these boat men. To navigate our boat some often had to get off, run up onto the rock formations and pull the boat along difficult areas with ropes. They worked in synchronicity like a well oiled machine. The return trip back to the docking area was easier on them as it was with the flow of the stream. Once we arrived back are the docking site, we removed our life jackets , got off the long boats, bid the boatmen farewell, and re boarded the larger vessel for our return trip to our cruise ship. This truly was an amazing experience which I highly recommend.

OnTheCoastAl

2018-02-19 07:28:12

The trip up Shennong Stream was excellent. The scenery is beautiful, the gorges are impressive, and the water is beautifully calm and reflective. Also some very interesting hanging coffins and rock formations.However, the visit at the end of the stream was a waste of time. I didn't find it entertaining at all, and the concrete structure that the show was held in is a bit of an eyesore in a beautiful gorge.I would have preferred to stay in the boat and come back a little slower!

keithsunley

2017-12-20 21:05:59

Whilst on our cruise down the Yangtse, one of the excursions was to the Shennong Stream, and this was a real good trip, as you go up a quieter part of the river in a sampan, rowed and " pulled " by our boatmen. This was very unusual, as years ago the river used to reduce to less than two feet in depth, which meant the boatmen couldn't row in the normal manner, so they used to jump out onto the river bank and PULL the boats along by ROPE, which is what they did for us also, which is quite unique. The boatmen have to work extremely hard, as there are no engines on these boats, it's purely man power.

2morrows

2018-03-14 08:07:36

We enjoyed a truly amazing excursion off the Yangtze River cruise from Badong to the Shennong Stream. We enjoyed a lovely ferry ride to the Shennong Stream where we were taken in dugout like boats rowed by 5 older standing boat men on a tour of the tributary. The scenery was stunning and the guides were very entertaining.

wanderlustMBA

2017-11-19 18:56:16

Peaceful. Beautiful. Really as beautiful as the photos lead you to believe. Worth the trip. Take the excursion- get off of the cruise ship. Bring your camera.

patilajolla

2018-01-23 20:45:29

We were on a Yangtze cruise that included a wooden paddle boat ride up the Shennong Stream. Well when we got there we weren't sure, there were about 20 boats waiting for us. We were placed with the second boat and a commentator, Linda. It was beautiful and with Linda it was VERY enjoyable. Actually it was the only thing worthwhile on the cruise other than going through the locks.

likymm

2018-01-18 16:17:44

周边游绿树、溪流，空气清新，景色优美，尤其是漂流时，不仅能欣赏美丽的景色，更享受水流带来的快乐，总之是旅游不错的一个选择。