"What is the chicken called in English?" asked my tour guide. "B-e-g-g-a-r? I know that word. Ha ha. No money. Give me chicken. Ha ha. Hen gao xiao (very funny)."

Those expecting the adrenal rush or white-water thrills of river rafting will be disappointed by the calm currents and small drops - bamboo rafting is like white water rafting on tranquilizers - but that is not the real reason to go.

With over 330 hectares of bamboo forest surrounding the bifurcated river (Shuangxi means "a pair of rivers") and Jingshan Temple nearby, this is more fun than spending the day in a spa or yoga retreat.

You can top the day off with some Jingshan green tea to anti-oxidize, tower above the treetops in a hot-air balloon, or trot around a field on horseback. Again, the emphasis is on safety and relaxation, making it family friendly.

Several weeks ago the local tourist agency invited a dozen expats to enjoy the rafting as part of an annual festival to launch-slash-promote its summer season. With the addition of blistering hot sunshine, a night bonfire, alcohol and group camaraderie, the one member of the party I spoke to gave it a big thumbs-up.

"It was good fun, more than I anticipated and the scenery was beautiful," said 26-year-old Petr Thiel of Czech Republic. "They also let us swim."

There are plenty of opportunities to get wet come rain or shine courtesy of two horizontally firing dragon-head fountains that the raft must pass through. When I went one of them was broken, which is fortunate because I don't think my pink umbrella could have taken any more abuse.

Shuangxi bamboo rafting is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm during the summer and from 8 am in winter. You can take bus No 348 from Hangzhou (it is roughly 35 km away) or take a shuttle bus from Hongkou Football Stadium.

Getting wet is all part of the fun while bamboo rafting in Shuangxi, about an hour's drive from Hangzhou. Inflatable rubber dinghies are also available for more energetic visitors. Courtesy photos

(China Daily August 3, 2009)