In recent years, the “lazy version” of travel activities has become popular in mainland China. Following the popularity of “lazy version” bungee jumping, lazy river rafting has also become a new trend in tourism. This kind of rafting is not afraid of overturning, does not require paddling, as tourists can lie flat on the water surface and simply go with the flow.
According to a report by Jiemu News on June 16th, on June 14th, Lishanjian Scenic Area in Feixian County, Linyi City, Shandong Province, launched the lazy version of river rafting. The project is located in a natural river channel of Lishanjian, with a total length of hundreds of meters. The water flow is gentle, and tourists only need to wear life jackets and helmets, lie flat on the water surface, and enjoy the natural scenery of the scenic area by “going with the flow.”
According to an online tour guide blogger, the “lazy version rafting” highlights lying flat, making it most suitable for tourists seeking a simple and stress-free water activity. Lying on the water, it feels like experiencing a rare sense of calmness and relaxation.
The official account of “Lishanjian Tourism Scenic Area” claims that this is Shandong’s first “lazy version rafting,” with a single rafting ticket price of 78.9 yuan. In addition to Lishanjian Scenic Area in Linyi, Shandong Province, similar “lazy version” rafting projects have also been set up in areas such as Ma’er Mountain Scenic Area in Guilin, Guangxi, and Longchumei Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Anji, Zhejiang.
Previously, the “lazy version” of bungee jumping projects introduced in many scenic spots quickly gained attention, with discussions on social media about “lazy version” mountain climbing, roller coasters, and free-fall machines.
Netizens commented, “Emphasizing winning by lying flat, even turning over requires less effort than paddling.” “It reflects the current travel habits of young people, as they prefer lying down rather than sitting.”
In recent years, with the decline in the Chinese economy, it has become increasingly difficult for young people to find employment. Phrases like “lying flat,” “being lazy,” “involution,” “closed-loop,” and others have started to trend on the Chinese internet. Similar Chinese phrases include “smashing the pot and breaking the rules” and “a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water.”
According to a report by The Guardian, Kecheng Fang, a communication studies researcher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, stated, “All these popular phrases reflect common social emotions at that time.”
“When people use them, they are not just expressing themselves but seeking connections with others who share the same sentiments,” he said. “Despite the grand official narratives put forth by the leadership, in reality, we are all in the same boat.”
He believes that Chinese young people are using “being lazy” or “lying flat” to show their non-compliance with official narratives.
According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China on its official website on June 16th, the surveyed urban unemployment rate in China for May dropped to 5%. The surveyed urban unemployment rate in 31 major cities also fell to 5%, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points from April, marking a six-month low.