Recommended water activities for families near Shanghai: rafting / paddleboarding / camping
>Summer water activities for families near Shanghai, featuring 4 unique water experiences different from creek trekking: Fuyang Longlin Dam rafting (thrill), Lin’an Tiaoxi creekside camping + rafting (relaxation), Jiashan Grand Canal paddleboarding + night tour of Xitang (balance and fun), Huzhou Changtianyang jelly sea boating (clear water exploration). Drive time 1–3h, suitable for families with children aged 3–17.
1. Fuyang District · Hangzhou Longlin Dam + Wuxie rafting
Destination: Fuyang, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Drive time: About 3h by car from Shanghai
Suitable age: 3 years and up (rafting requires height over 1m)
Duration: 1 day
Longlin Dam is a trending scenic dam—its layered structure resembles fish scales, with mountain spring water flowing over it, crystal clear to the bottom. The shallow area is just calf-deep, perfect for kids to splash around while parents take photos nearby.
In the afternoon, head to Wuxie for a magical rafting experience. Unlike popular rafting spots, it’s less crowded, no lines, and the water quality is excellent. The rafting route has moderate slopes, with thrilling drops and gentle floating sections, ideal for families trying rafting for the first time. Water fights are encouraged, with both sides splashing each other.
Life jackets are worn throughout rafting. Staff are on duty. Participants must be over 1m tall.
2. Lin’an District · Hangzhou Tiaoxi creekside camping + rafting
Destination: Lin’an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Drive time: About 2h by car from Shanghai
Suitable age: 5–12 years
Duration: 1 day
Tiaoxi is a clear creek in Lin’an, fed by the Tianmu Mountains. The experience combines camping + water play + rafting.
Camp by the creek in the morning to cool off, with watermelon contests and water treasure hunts. Kids have nonstop fun crawling and splashing. At noon, enjoy charcoal barbecue with sizzling meat skewers and chicken wings. In the afternoon, head to Shuangxi Bamboo Sea rafting—rafting on inflatable rafts instantly turns into a water fight, with splashes and sneak attacks, water spraying everywhere. At the end, switch to double kayaks to return to the dock, all soaking wet for a rinse and change.
Shuangxi Bamboo Sea rafting has gentle slopes and full shade. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
3. Xitang ancient town · Jiashan paddleboarding + night tour
Destination: Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang
Drive time: About 1h by car from Shanghai
Suitable age: 4–17 years
Duration: 1 day
Shortest drive—about 1 hour from Shanghai to Jiaxing. Depart at noon, arrive in 1.5 hours.
In the afternoon, try paddleboarding on the Grand Canal with a professional coach explaining basic techniques and safety. Paddleboarding differs from kayaking—you stand on the board and paddle, focusing on balance. At first, it’s wobbly, but once steady, it’s addictive. The canal is wide and calm, perfect for beginners.
After water activities, explore the nearby petting zoo, bubble pool, and water slide. In the evening, head to Xitang ancient town—free entry after 5 PM on non-holidays. As dusk falls and lights come on, small boats glide gently, with lantern reflections dancing on the water.
Paddleboarding is suitable for ages 4 and up, with life jackets. The canal is wide and calm.
4. Changtianyang Wetland Park jelly sea boating
Destination: South shore of Taihu Lake, Huzhou, Zhejiang
Drive time: About 2h by car from Shanghai
Suitable age: 4–14 years
Duration: 1 day
Changtianyang Wetland is on Taihu’s south shore, a green maze of thousands of acres of reed marshes and waterways, with egrets flying. The water quality is called the “top in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai”—lake water is crystal clear like glass, translucent like jelly, with blue and green hues. Sand, stones, and small fish are clearly visible underwater.
Paddleboard or kayak through the reed waterways, spotting egrets and wild ducks. Professional coaches provide instruction, perfect for first-time water sports. In the afternoon, head to Yulin Dam—layered dams like fish scales, mountain spring water crystal clear, shallow areas calf-deep, great for wading, fishing, and shrimp catching. In July and August, you can pick yellow peaches in the park.
Paddleboarding is suitable for ages 4 and up, with coach instruction and life jackets. The Yulin Dam shallow area is good for younger children.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between paddleboarding and kayaking?
A: Paddleboarding involves standing on the board and paddling, focusing on balance. Kayaking is sitting and paddling, more stable. Both are suitable for ages 4 and up, with life jackets and coach instruction.
Q: Is rafting safe?
A: Wuxie and Shuangxi rafting are family-friendly, with moderate slopes, staff on duty, participants over 1m tall, and life jackets worn throughout.
Q: Do I need to bring my own gear?
A: Paddleboards, kayaks, and rafts with life jackets are provided on site. It’s recommended to bring creek trekking shoes, 2 sets of clothes for changing, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water guns.
Youxia Kids · Shanghai station focuses on outdoor nature study tours for children aged 4–12, with weekly fixed departures for routes within 3h drive from Shanghai.