This is the astonishing moment a white-water rafting traffic jam caused chaos on a river in China.

Hundreds of holidaymakers clad in helmets and life vests were stranded in the current at the Gaoguo River Scenic Area in Guizhou.

Footage shows rubber boats with two tourists on board accelerating from upstream and colliding with other watercraft at a calm stretch of the river on July 17.

The impacts caused several vessels to overturn and capsize, sending the vacationers plunging into the water.

Local media reported that no one drowned in the incident.

A spokesman for the Gaoguo River Scenic Area said the pile-up occurred during peak hours. Tickets for the extreme water sport had been sold out in the past two days, with no availability until the following Monday, causing a surge of tourists.

The entire rafting experience takes around 2 to 3 hours, with about 80 safety officers reportedly stationed along the route.

The officers were later seen pushing down the piled-up boats one by one to ease the congestion.