Visitors enjoy rafting on the waterways of Kunlun Canyon in Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2026 Zhejiang Rafting Conference and the summer water recreation and study tour season kicked off in Xianju county, Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on June 30, highlighting new outdoor tourism experiences centered on rivers, canyons, and nature.

The event featured the Kunlun Canyon rafting project, which opened for trial operations earlier in June and was recognized as one of East China's top rafting destinations. The attraction also serves as Taizhou's first water ecological project to transform the ecological value of river resources into tourism assets through a market-based development model.

The rafting course stretches 3.4 kilometers through a forested mountain gorge, with a natural elevation drop of nearly 300 meters and a maximum single drop of 20 meters.

Surrounded by dense vegetation and large natural rock formations, the canyon offers visitors an immersive rafting experience that draws comparisons to tropical rainforest scenery. Construction was carried out largely by hand to minimize any environmental impact and preserve the area's natural features.

The rafting project is part of Xianju's broader strategy to expand eco-tourism and rural development. This summer, the county has introduced six water-themed tourism experiences, including canyon rafting, bamboo rafting, and family recreation areas, combining outdoor activities with educational programs.