Wanquan River
4 min readThe attraction we are going to visit is a beautiful tropical river-Wanquan River，which is the third longest river and the symbol of Hainan Island.It originates from Wuzhishan，with a total length of 163 kilometers，and drainage area of 3，693 square kilometers.There are typical tropical rainforests along the river，which comprise a breathtaking landscape.Wanquan River is a beautiful tropical river and free from contamination.It has an ecological environment，known as China’s”Amazon River”.
A thick tropical natural forest protected area and some historical humanity landscapes like”Joan rubber plantation”（a club originated in 1906 by Mr.He Linshu，an overseas Chinese），Qiongya Longjiang revolutionary site and Shihushan Cliff are on both sides of the upriver of Wanquan River.The river is divided into two parts by a large dam，and tens of li of the upper part has turned into a great lake，looking just like a boundless expanse of beautiful picture of the landscape.
The lower part，from the Cliff to Coconut Village areas，is very peaceful.Further below，the river is increasingly wider.The water is so clear that the reefs can be identified.The twilight changes like magic.Early morning，mist weaves yarn，and breeze blows gently.It is a scene that has fascinated quite a lot of people.
The scenery is more attractive at the estuary where three rivers（Wanquan River，Longgun River，Jiuqu River），three islands（Dongyu Island，Shapo lIsland，Mandarin Duck Island），two harbors（Bo’ao Harbor，Tanmen Harbor），one stone（Shenggong Rock in Midstream）and other landscapes roll into one.The estuary is also one of the best protected scenic spot in the world at the present time.
Besides the beautiful scenery，Wanquan River has a moving historical legend.It is said that the river was originally named”Multi-River”.In 1325 because of court contingent，the prince was exiled to Hainan Wanquan River，many people chose to stay away from him，but a local gentleman named WangGuan accompanied the prince to tour the landscape along Wanquan River，and made the prince forget his troubles and sadness of the exile.Wang Guan was also always concerned about the prince’s marriage，and asked a local girl named Meiniang to marry him.Three years after the exile，an official of the Privy Council Yantiemu’er used force to help the prince to ascend the throne.Later the emperor decreed that Hainan be upgraded to the South of Statehood，and the river”Multi-River”which had accompanied him through three years of exile be renamed”Wanquan River”.
My friends，here we are in the tourism area of Wanquan River，which is made up of 9 functional areas including Wanquan Recreational Pier，Shazhou Island，the Shopping Court，the Statue of the Red Detachment of Women and Yudaitan Beach，etc.What we are seeing is the widest part of Wanquan River，and the beautiful Shazhou Island is not far ahead.The island consists of the alluvial mud and sand of Wanquan River，with a total acreage of more than 300 mu.The whole island sits on the river like a long，curved moon.What is better，there is a clear，blue lake lying in the island.The river and the lake seem to be separate but actually link up with each other，constituting a fantastic scene of”lake in island，island in river”.
We have arrived at the Wanquan River Rafting departure，which is also the Yanyuan Hydropower Station that was built in the 1960s.Look，the water is so clear that the arch bridge over there can reflect clearly in it，which makes a big circle consisting of the bridge and its clear reflection in the water.Isn’t it teresting？
Now，let’s get ready for an exciting Wanquan River rafting.You can raft inall seasons here.With the width of more than one hundred meters and clear water，colorful fishes and pebbles can be seen clearly in shallow places.Rafting in Wanquan River，you can enjoy the great passion of riding through thrilling rapids and the poetic images on both sides when in slow water.Our whole rafting journey is due to last for about three hours to drift from Yanyuan Hydropower Station to Huishan County，totally about 15 kilometers.The narrowest part is about 8 meters，the widest one is about 100 meters，and thedepth is about 1-10 meters.Now let’s row to the center and enjoy ourselves！
Here we are at the famous Bo’ao Yudaitan Beach.Located at the eastern of the Golden Coast Hot Spring Hotel，the beach extends 8.5 kilometers in length.It is a long white jade-belt and a naturally formed peninsula that intentionally separates Wanquan River from the South China Sea.Outside the beach is the vast and fierce South China Sea，while inside it flows the calm anc beautiful Wanquan River.The two echo with each other，and form a unique spectacle in Asia.Since it is the narrowest sand peninsula”to separate a river from a sea”，it was entered into the Guinness Book of Record in June，1999.
Not far from Yudaitan Beach，there is a dark huge rock，several meters out of the water，standing on the waves of the South China Sea.That is the so-called Shenggong Rock.According to the legend of”Sky-Hole Patching Nyuwa”，the fairy Nyuwa splashed down some gravels accidentally.These gravels were spiritual and selected this geomantic place to settle down.Regardless of the storm and stress，Shenggong Rock stands firmly and in opposite to the Yudaitan Beach across the river for thousands of years.
