The Twelve Rapids Drift Scenic Area is located on the golden tourist route from Guilin to Longsheng. The drift river section is in the upper reaches of Yijiang River in Lingui County, Guilin City, with its start and end points connecting to National Highway 321. The drift end point is only 50 kilometers away from Guilin City, and about 30 kilometers north to Longsheng, making transportation very convenient. The entire Twelve Rapids drift covers 9.5 kilometers, passing through 66 river rapids, including 12 fast rapids, with the highest drop among the fast rapids reaching 3 meters. The total drop for the entire course is more than 80 meters. The Twelve Rapids twist and turn eighteen times, as rushing currents splash against rocks creating layers of water flowers. Rubber boats toss, leap, rise, and sway in the wave peaks and valleys, allowing you to experience unimaginable excitement; of course, there is also the狂欢 "water splashing festival" involving hundreds of people, where you can experience the meaning of happiness through laughter and splashing.
On both sides of the Twelve Rapids river valley are towering cliffs and layered terraced fields, covered with lush and dense primary secondary forests from the foot to the top of the mountain. The average altitude within the scenic area ranges from 300 to 500 meters, with significant vertical climatic differences. The four seasons are distinct, and rainfall is abundant. In the height of summer, the temperature here is 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than in the urban area of Guilin. The river banks on both sides consist of deep gray shale from the Cambrian system, displaying vibrant colors. Variously shaped boulders are scattered across the riverbed, forming steep embankments, platforms, and pot holes, creating a unique and novel landscape. Numerous small waterfalls hang between the continuous cliffs on both sides of the canyon, presenting an exceptionally serene and picturesque beauty, making one feel as if they are in a fairyland.
The Twelve Rapids scenic area is located within the Lingui Water Resources Protection Zone, where the natural forest remains well-preserved. The vegetation mainly consists of fir trees, bamboo, oak wood, and plum trees, interspersed with rare plants such as silver fir, cypress, and red bean fans, belonging to the evergreen broad-leaved forest belt. Here, winters are warm and summers are cool, making it an excellent place for vacation and relaxation.
At the end point of the Twelve Rapids drift scenic area, there is a built resort villa complex featuring multiple large parking lots, tourist lounges, cold and hot water shower changing rooms, resort hotels, local flavor restaurants, fish pond fishing, leisure sports fields, and natural swimming pools, ensuring your drift journey is incredibly comfortable!