[2025 Qingyuan ] Travel Guide for Gu Long Xia Drifting (Updated Mar)

Gulong Gorge Rafting is a thrilling natural river drift located in Qingxin District, Qingyuan City. It features a natural and primitive landscape with steep riverbeds, towering cliffs, and numerous waterfalls on both sides of the river. It is known for its wild and masculine beauty, characterized by its roaring rapids and breathtaking scenery. Gulong Gorge Rafting has hosted several international drifting competitions and is designated as a drifting racecourse by the General Administration of Sport of China. The racecourse is 6,063 meters long with a drop of 378 meters and can reach speeds of up to 72 kilometers per hour. It is divided into two sections, the "Race Track" and the "Extreme Race Track," making it the longest, steepest, and fastest drifting project in Guangdong Province. In 2019, it successfully achieved two world records for the longest natural water racecourse and the largest drop in a natural water racecourse. Known as the "roller coaster on the waves," Gulong Gorge Rafting is considered the most thrilling drifting experience in Guangdong. The average slope of the racecourse is 9.5%, surpassing the average slope of 7.5% in the world's largest canyon, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon. The most heart-pounding experience is the "Dragon Looking Back" section, which features a 180-degree turn resembling the majestic U-shaped bend of the Yarlung Zangbo River. With towering cliffs on both sides, it creates a formidable and breathtaking sight. The high-speed kayaks glide like roller coasters between the peaks and valleys of the waves. Just when the adrenaline is rushing, they suddenly come to a stop and smoothly enter a clear water pool, bringing a moment of tranquility after the excitement. Due to its deep and steep canyon, towering cliffs, dense forests, ancient trees, and intertwining vines, the river of Gulong Gorge Rafting is surrounded by a "forest tunnel." The primitive jungle blocks out the sunlight, making it difficult to see the sun throughout the year, and the highest temperature is only 22°C. Compared to other drifting experiences that expose participants to the scorching sun in summer, Gulong Gorge Rafting is known as the only drifting experience in Guangdong where you don't need to apply sunscreen. The main water source of the drifting river comes from the Gulong Cave in the canyon, where multiple layers of sandstone shale are distributed, and multiple springs converge with a thunderous sound, providing clear and refreshing water. This has given rise to the legend of the "Gulong Mingquan" (Dragon Roaring Spring). Qingyuan is known as the hometown of drifting in China, and Gulong Gorge Rafting is regarded as the epitome of drifting in Qingyuan. The drifting river of Gulong Gorge Rafting has been meticulously designed by international drifting experts according to racecourse standards. It was one of the first standardized racecourses certified by the Provincial Bureau of Technical Supervision, and its safety has been certified by authoritative institutions such as the China Classification Society and the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau. With its wild drops, intense rhythm, pristine ecology, and high-quality water source, Gulong Gorge Rafting has set a new standard for drifting in China and is widely recognized as the most thrilling and enjoyable drifting experience in the country. In 2019, the newly upgraded Gulong Gorge Rafting incorporated an Amazon tribal scene and various adventure experiences such as Monkey Island, Crocodile Pond, and Dinosaur Valley, making it a themed drifting project.