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 totally 17 rivers and streams flow into it. One of the most important ports of call for Yangtze Three Gorges tour.

The crystal clear steam 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 crystal clear and unpolluted water flows swiftly. A tour by sampan is just like a shooting arrow. One exciting sport played here is "Gliding in Water". The section of the river earmarked for this game is twenty kilometers long and passes along the Mianzhu, Yingwu and Longchang Gorges. One rides a boat starting in a branch of the Shennong Stream and glides past the four-kilometer-long Mianzhu Gorge and then enters the main stream of the Shennong. The boat glides over the cobble-strewn river bed, its bottom often banging against the stones. It is not without risk yet exhilarating. It is thrilling to battle with the nature. The boat will raft to a Longchuanhe Village where the Tujia ethnic group lives. Being the descendents of ancient Ba people, they are hardworking and hospitable and are good at singing and dancing. Normally some performance by the local people will be included after the boat drifting. The Shennong Stream is newly opened,designed as a substitute of the Lesser Three Gorges.

But it seems more popular. Visitors from worldwide have been rating this part the highlight of the entire trip. Like the neighboring Lesser Three Gorges in Wushan County, the ancient plank path runs along the river, mysterious ancient coffins suspended 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.

The Shennong Stream fascinates the tourists with its special virtues of serenity, uniqueness, pr Floating on a peapod boat, you can appreciate not only the natural scenes all the way, but also the joys and excitement in fighting the winds and waves.