Family Trip to Bazhong Nuoshui River! Cave Boating + Rafting Fun with Kids

--- 📍Route Plan — Relaxed 3-Day Family Trip to the Earth's Core DAY 1: Chengdu → Nuoshui River Town (Stay at Nuoshui River Secret Wilderness Luxury Hotel) - Self-drive: Chengdu → Chengba Expressway → Bazhong → Tongjiang Nuoshui River Town (5-hour drive, prepare a portable drawing board for the kids to keep them entertained during traffic jams) - High-speed train + bus: Chengdu East → Bazhong Station (2.5h/110 RMB, choose a window seat so kids can enjoy the scenery) → transfer to scenic area shuttle bus (1.5h/30 RMB, with charging ports on board to charge kids’ tablets) DAY 2: Cave + Rafting Family Fun Day (Kids’ favorite!) 🔻 Morning: Longhu Cave (Underground River Boating + Cliff Elevator) → Take the kids on a small boat ride through the underground river; the stalactites above look like stars in the sky, kids will point and say “Mom, look, it’s like little candles” (boat ride 30 RMB, the boatman slows down so kids can observe) → Ride the 120-meter cliff elevator; kids will excitedly shout “So high!” while ascending, with a wide-open view of the canyon from inside the elevator (ticket included, no extra charge) 🔻 Afternoon: Shizi Cave (Stalactite Wonders) + Huanglong Cave (Underground Waterfall) → The “Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage” stone pillars in Shizi Cave are spectacular; give kids a small flashlight to explore the stones, enhancing their sense of discovery; the three-tier waterfall in Huanglong Cave is stunning, and the mist on the face feels refreshing 🔻 Evening: Nuoshui Cave Rafting (3.8 km family rafting, thrilling but safe) → Choose the family rafting boat with a safety officer following; calm water areas let kids play in the water, while rapids add some excitement, kids will be laughing happily DAY 3: Easy Hiking + Scenic Check-in (Relaxed return) - Free wild trail: Nanmu Trail for digging wild onions (navigate to the west side of Niujiaoqian, bring a small basket, kids can enjoy the “treasure hunt” fun, and the wild onions can be stir-fried by the farmhouse) - On the way check-in: Guangwu Mountain Eighteen Moon Ponds (1-hour drive, crystal-clear water where kids can splash, shaded banks protect from sun) 🏨 Accommodation Guide — Nuoshui River Secret Wilderness Luxury Hotel (Top family-friendly) - Location: Only 5 minutes by car from the Nuoshui Cave rafting start point, so you can quickly return to the hotel to shower after rafting without letting kids stay wet - Facilities: Spacious family rooms with child safety fences, baby cribs (advance reservation required), and a small slide so kids can play inside the room; outdoor swimming pool available for summer swimming with kids - Services: Free laundry service to wash wet rafting clothes promptly; family craft activities available, such as making cave stone paintings, kids can play all afternoon - Surroundings: Nearby farmhouse orchards where you can pick seasonal fruits like strawberries and cherries, letting kids experience the joy of picking 💰 Expense List — Family fun for about 650 RMB per person - Tickets: Scenic area entrance 20 RMB (free for children under 1.2 meters) + cave combo ticket 80 RMB (includes Longhu Cave, Shizi Cave, Huanglong Cave, 30 RMB cheaper than buying separately) + rafting 100 RMB (children over 1.1 meters can participate, with child-specific life jackets) - Transportation: Self-drive fuel cost 400 RMB/car (very cost-effective for a family of three); round-trip high-speed train 220 RMB + local carpool 150 RMB (carpool driver helps carry strollers, very thoughtful) - Accommodation: Nuoshui River Secret Wilderness Luxury Hotel 550 RMB/night (includes breakfast for two adults + children, plus family activity experiences, excellent value) - Food: Must-try Tongjiang white fungus soup (15 RMB, very soft, kids can drink two bowls at once), stone-milled tofu (25 RMB, light and tasty, suitable for kids); avoid overpriced and bad-tasting fast food in the scenic area, go to the town’s “Mountain People’s Home” farmhouse restaurant, about 45 RMB per person for stewed native chicken and stir-fried wild vegetables, very delicious 🌌 Family Highlights — Learn while playing, very meaningful 1. Longhu Cave underground river boating: Teach kids about “light reflection” by observing reflections on the water surface, making it easy for kids to understand; wear light-colored clothes for photos, family photos turn out great 2. Shizi Cave stalactite exploration: Prepare a geology booklet for kids to find “Nine-turn Immortal Tower” and “Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage,” cultivating observation skills; shining a flashlight on stalactites reveals different colors, which kids find fascinating 3. Huanglong Cave underground waterfall: Let kids listen to the waterfall’s sound and feel “nature’s music”; the mist creates small rainbows, teaching kids the “principle of rainbow formation,” making learning fun while playing ⚠️ Family Tips to Avoid Pitfalls (Super practical!) 1. Transportation reminder: On weekends, start early! Rafting stops at 4 PM; arriving before 10 AM avoids queues, so kids won’t get cranky waiting; mountain roads are winding, buckle kids in and bring motion sickness medicine (child-specific) 2. Gear preparation: The cave is damp, dress kids in non-slip shoes and quick-dry pants to avoid falls; rafting will get kids soaked, bring 2 sets of clothes, towels, and bath towels; change clothes promptly after rafting to avoid catching cold; bring waterproof bags for kids’ phones, tablets, and snacks to prevent water damage 3. Safety tips: Tell kids in advance “Do not touch the stalactites,” the scenic area has surveillance and touching will result in a 500 RMB fine; don’t let kids feed wild monkeys, monkeys will snatch things; zip backpacks and don’t let kids approach monkeys alone > The route has been tested with kids, costs are based on the latest 2025 prices, and safety tips come from real experience. Rafting opening times may change, so call the scenic area before going. Recommended seasons: June to August to cool off in the caves and see fireflies, kids can chase fireflies; October to November to see red leaves at Guangwu Mountain, perfect for family photos and teaching kids why leaves turn red!