Geographical introduction

The Yangtze River, or Changjiang River, as it is known to most Chinese, is the longest river in Asia, and the third longest river in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. Its full length is over 6300 kms, and the drainage area is 1,808,500 square kms, which covers one fifth of China. It originates from Tanglha Mountain of Qinghai Province. On its way eastward to the sea, the Yangtze River flows through 11 provinces and municipalities directly under the control of the Central Government and into East China Sea at Shanghai. It has many branches, and there are many important cities along its river bank, such as Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai，all of which are inhabited with millions of people. Population distribution along the Yangtze River valley is uneven. Parts of Eastern China and Central China around the Yangtze River are densely populated, while the plateau section in the western part of China is sparsely populated.

One remarkable feature of the Yangtze River is that whilst sharing the general name, each section has it own individual name as it flows through its many provinces. Famous ones among these includes Tuotuohe(in Qinghai province), Tongtianhe(also in Qinghai), Jinshajiang(in sichuan),Yangzijiang(in Jiangsu). Actually the name of the Yangtze River refers only to that part that flows through Jiangsu province.

The area along the Yangtze River valley is an enormous food production area within China, which produces nearly 50 percent of the nations production of grain each year, of which rice makes up 70 percent of the total. Furthermore, there are several huge water generating power projects built along the Yangtze River including, the Three Gorges hydropower station, Gezhouba hydropower station and Danjiangkou hydropower station, all of which produce the large majority of electricity for the domestic and industrial usage in these parts of China.

Yantze River Sightseeings

Three Gorges Dam

The Three Gorges Project is the largest water-powered engineering project in the world. With both installed capacity of 18,200 kilowatt and generating capacity of 84.7 billion kilowatt-hour the largest on earth, the project on the Yangtze River is unequalled. It was built because of the huge drop of the water here. Approved officially in 1992, the construction began two years later. It began generating electricity in 2005 and the whole project was completed in 2009. The whole project lasted 17 years and the overall investment reached up to 95.5 billion RMB.The dam is 185 meter high and has a depth of up to 175 meter depth of water. The reservoir is over 600 kms long, and is capable of withstanding flood that happens once in a century. The establishment of the project raised the shipping capacity of the river from 10 million tons to 50 million tons. Further more, the Three Gorges Dam covers other aspects like tourism, aquaculture, ecological protection, environment purification, immigration, South-to-North water diversion, and irrigation water supply. This make the Three Gorges Dam tower above other huge hydropower stations throughout the world. No wonder it’s regarded as an incredible miracle of wisdom by the Chinese people that populate the banks of the Yangtze .

The Three Gorges is famous not only for not only its water-powered engineering, but also the beautiful landscape along this part of the Yangtze banks. An introduction to the Three Gorges scenic spot is detailed in the following items.

The Three Gorges scenic spots

The beauty around the Three Gorges, namely QuTang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, have been known to the Chinese people through the ages. Three Gorges, which has been listed as one of the Top Ten Places of Interest in China. It stretches from Fengjie in Chongqing in the west to Yichang in Hubei in the east. The three gorges, from the first to the third, are respectively famous for their grandeur, natural beauty and precipitousness, and attract millions of tourists from China and abroad every year. There have been many poems depicting the landscape of the Yangtze River banks, which has always been a place for ancient literary scholars to relieve their emotions and express their ambitions. You can imagine the scene when they stand gracefully above the torrential flow, singing out sonorously the classic poems that we see today. Among them are Libai, Dufu, Luyou, Sushi and Quyuan .The Three Gorges area is also where the battlefields of the Three Kingdoms lie. You may feel overwhelmed seeing with your own eyes the place where ancient heroes fought many historical battles.

QuTang Gorge

QuTang Gorge is the first among the three gorges downstream. It extends for only 8 kms,from Baidicheng of Fengjie county to Daxi Town of Wushan county, from west to east. It’s the shortest, and also the most grandly precipitous among the three. The mountains along both sides of the river here are nearly vertical, arising from the earth, which constricts the Yangtze River to a narrow band, wriggling along the deep valley floor. These form a very majestic picture of the Chinese landscape. One remarkable feature of QuTang Gorge is that the beauty spots here are numerous and alluring, and this make sightseeing here very memorable. There is a rock surface on Baiyan Mountain along QuTang Gorge which bears a slightly pink colour, and this makes it distinctive. What’s more, there are inscriptions on the surface. The most famous of them are the ones by General Sun Yuanliang and Feng Yuxiang of the Republic of China. On the peak of the mountain off the north bank of the gorge lies Baidicheng City, which was referred to in a poem by Libai, the greatest poet of the Tang Dynasty. It is where many cultural relics are held. Plank roads built along cliffs only add to the beauty of the gorge. Here you can also see the well-known mysterious Bellows Gap. It’s called bellows gap because there are several wooden chests resembling bellows situated in the gap of the crag. Historians and adventurers revealed that these bellows are actually coffins of the ancient Ba people. Other beauty spots include the ancient city of Fengjie, Bazhentu historical site, where celebrated strategist Zhugeliang disciplined soldiers, and Yufu Tower.

Wu Gorge

Wu Gorge lies mainly within the boundary of Wushan County of Chongqing and Badong County of Hubei province. From west to east, it stretches continuously for about 42 kms. This part of Three Gorges is renowned for the landscape along its banks, with mountains rising steeply and jagged rocks of grotesque shapes found along the gorge. Metaphorically, Wu Gorge is just like a circuitous serene gallery. The Twelve Peaks of the Wu Mountains stand out from other scenic spots. The twelve peaks are located on the two banks of Wu Gorge. They stand upright and cut straightly into the river. Wu Gorge is comparatively narrow and deep, and such terrain is not good for the dispersal of the vapor in the valley, so it forms clouds pervading the space among the mountains. The clouds take multifarious shapes of animals like galloping horses or winding dragon, or of cascades hanging above the cliffs. The breathtaking beauty make you feel that you are already in a fairyland. Lengendary tales passed down from generation to generation lend to the mysterious colour to the landscape. There have also been ancient poems detailing the beauty of the clouds and rain of Wushan. All this makes Wu Gorge enjoy a high reputation in the eyes of the tourist.

Xiling Gorge

The panorama of Xiling Gorge spreads from Baidicheng, where the Wu Gorge ends, to Nanjinguan Pass of Yichang, Hubei province. It is the last stage and the longest of three gorges, with the full length about 70 kms. It is renowned for its turbulent torrents and plentiful shoals. Downstream are the Military Manual and the Precious Sword Gorge, Ox's Liver and Horse's Lung Gorge, Kongling Gorge and Shadow-Play Gorge. Famous shoals here includes Qing Xie,Kongling and Yaocha river Shoals.

On the north bank of Yangtze River there are layers of rocks with distinct gradations, that look like an arranged pile of books. Near here is a stelae in the shape of a sword. That is how the Military Manual and the Precious Sword Gorge get its name. As for Ox's Liver and Horse's Lung Gorge, it will be much easier to understand. The rock along the banks is crimson and takes the shape of ox’s liver and horse’s lung. Ancient Chinese, on their way back from exploring the world, are apt to give new names according to the knowledge they possessed and many descriptions seem vivid.

However, seeing is believing. Having a tour on the Yangtze River by ship will give you the chance of feasting on the panorama of the beauty along the banks. Yangtze River Cruises cover all the beauty spots mentioned above. Just fancy how imposing it will be! China tourism is always open to you.

Little Three Gorges

Little Three Gorges are Longmen Gorge, Misty Gorge and Gap Dicui, which lie in the lower reaches of Daning River, a branch of Yangtze River near Wu Mountain. The full length of the three gorges is 60 kms. Over 20 thousand Mu of forest bamboo and other trees are along the banks.The landscape here is even comparable to that of Three Gorges. Cloud and mist shroud the hills. Gibbes of monkeys are heard echoing here and there. Mandarin ducks paddle in the water. Water fowls fly and tweeter and flutter among the trees, and from branches to trees. The reputation of a scenic zoo given to it is indeed well-deserved. Many decades ago, Little Three Gorges had been in obscurity and neglected for a long time. The rapid development of China tourism put its name on the map. In 1991 Little Three Gorges was chosen as one of the 40 best tourist resort of China. In 2004 it is judged as a Grade AAAA national tourism area, and in 2006 a Grade AAAAA tourism scenic spot. Behind the official acknowledgement of Little Three Gorges is the recognition of the landscape here. Distinguishing it from the magnificence beauty of Three Gorges, is the impression of charming delicacy and elegance that will refresh your eyes with its unique flavor.

The First Gulf of the Yangtze River

The First Gulf of the Yangtze River is located in the northwest of Yunnan province, only 130 kms from renowned Shangri-La county. Originating in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Yangtze River flows southward into Yunnan Province, where it flows in parallel with two of its branches, Lancangjiang and Nujiang, forming a very spectacular scene in its upper reaches .When it reaches the south of Shangri-La county, the watercourse changes abruptly with an angle of over 100 degrees, and flows on northeastward. This is where The First Gulf of the Yangtze River is formed.

The channel of Yangtze River widens nearby, and the river becomes clear with fishing boats abounding and folk songs of fishmen are audible, hovering back and forth in the valley nearby. Standing above the hill at the southbank facing the gulf, you can get a bird's-eye view of the area. The water ripples with the setting sunlight on it.

It is here is also where an ancient town lies. Its origin dates back 2000 years, about the time of Three kingdoms. Legend has it that Zhugeliang, a famous strategist of that time, crossed Yangtze River here for military needs. Kublai Khan, a emperor of Yuan dynasty, crossed the river, too, in 1253. Still, the second corps of the Red Army, crossed Yangtze River here under the leadership of General Helong, to advance northward in counterattack of the Japanese invaders. So The First Gulf of the Yangtze River is also historically monumental.

Yangtze River Offshore Cities

Chongqing

Chongqing is a municipality directly under the Central Government, and a central city of southwest China. It is also the economic and financial center of upstream area of the Yangtze River, and the first area to implement the opening-up policy. Chongqing has a long historical standing and already is on the list of the second batches of national well-known historical and cultural cities. Misty weather is often seen here for geographical reasons, and it is usually known to the Chinese as the city of fog, the London of China. Chungking Negotiations between the Kuomin Tang and the Communist party took place here in 1945.

Wuhan

Wuhan is the capital city of Hubei Province, and the largest city of central China. The Yangtze River and its branches flow across the city and divide it into three regions, namely the town of Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang. Late in the Qing dynasty, Wuhan was the largest city in inland China, and got the name of Oriental Chicago. The famous Revolution of 1911 took place here and later brought about the birth of the Republic of China. The areas of the city along Yangtze River are very scenic, which makes it a destination for many tourists.

Nanjing

Alias Jinling, Nanjing is the capital city of Jiangsu province, and the capital of six dynasties in Chinese history. Lying along the banks of the lower reaches of Yangtze River, it is an important industrial and economic center of this area, and one of the important culture and education centers of China. There are many well-known places of interest here well worth a visit. The best-known among them is undoubtedly Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. It was built in 1926, and became a major historical and cultural site under state protection in 1961. Next is the Presidential Palace, which has now been preserved as the largest museum of modern history in China. Yuejiang Tower is graded as National AAAA Scenic Area. There are also many other favorable places for a visit.

Yangzhou

Yangzhou is in the central areas of Jiangsu province, to the north of Yangtze River, near Huaian city, the hometown of great premier Zhouenlai. It has been listed as a historical cultural city issued by the State Council. The Grand Canal flows across the city, connecting many great lakes nearby. Urban construction of Yangzhou dates back to 486 B.C. in the Tang dynasty, it is one of the richest cities in China and “the hustle and bustle of merchants is just like weaving” as depicted in old scriptures. During the history intervening, there have been a lot of political dignitaries and cultural celebrities who have had associations with Yangzhou. Their anecdotes and literary works help to uncover the historical potential of the city and contribute a lot to local tourism. If someday you have the impulsive to come for a visit, the third month by lunar calendar is the best time, when every flower blossoms, the Viburnum included, adding to the beauty of the spring.

Shanghai, the largest city

Shanghai is not just the largest city along the Yangtze River, it's the largest in China. It’s the center for economy, finance, commerce and shipping. The largest industrial base and internantional port is here too. Over 20 million people reside or live here, influenced by and passing down the cultural deposits of modern history of over 300 years. Many historic events of the 20th century took place here, which makes it famous throughout the world. Nowadays Shanghai is undoubtedly a modern metropolis, and great effort is being made to turn it into a leading international financial and shipping center. Most International airlines operate from Shanghai to destinations all over the world. The World Expo is enjoying unprecedented success and will only strengthen the international popularity and influence of the city.

Yangtze River Animals and Fishery

There are also some very scarce animals that you will never have the chance of seeing in other countries of the world. They are Chinese sturgeon, the white-flag dolphin and the Yangtze alligator. The Chinese sturgeon is a fish with great historical and economic value and is now severely endangered for overfishing in the past few decades. The white-flag dolphin is under State first-class protection and listed as one of the 12 most endangered animals in the world together with the giant panda. The Yangtze alligator is the only crocodile existing in China, and it’s much smaller when compared with its African and American relatives. Its ancestors have been living in Yangtze River for millions of years. Yangtze River offers very prolific fishery resources, and there are estimated as many as 500 kinds of fish living in it, for example, Amur fish, the flounder, European bream, the perch and many others.

The area along Changjiang River valley is regarded as one that played a very important role in the origin of the ancient civilization. And today the Yangtze River still contributes greatly in promoting economic development along its banks. With so many natural merits, Yangtze River Delta has become the center of manufacturing, shipping, banking and commercial business. Several giant ports function with higher efficiency. The Yangtze River is playing a more and more important role in modern China’s economic development.

Ancient civilization along Yangtze River

Although researchers and historians have regarded the valley of the Yellow River as the center of ancient Chinese civilization, theYangtze River valley is one of the earliest inhabited areas of early man. Homo erectus fossils have been found in Anhui province, with several reliques of human activity. Ten other Historic Sites have also been found in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, with many cultural relics excavated. Among them the most famous is Dasi cultural sites, where 214 tombs were exhumed. Historic Sites of the New Stone Age abound in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and are representitive of the Qujialing culture, found in Jingshan, Hubei Province. Hemudu culture, which features the new stone age culture in the lower reaches, was found in Yuyao, Zhejiang province. All these are evidence that the Yangtze River valley played a very important part as the cradle of Chinese civilization. The importance is even comparable to that of The Valley of the Yellow River Beauty spots.

Yangtze River Shipping and Transport

From ancient times, the Yangtze River has been the natural barrier against the enemy states. And today it becomes the main waterway of inland navigation as the Chinese economy enjoys rapid development. It's a very efficient and potent continuation of ocean transport. The Yangtze River links inland cities with coastal ports to form a network of river navigation. The Yangtze River can also be connected with the Yellow River and large north ports like Tianjin, and Hangzhou to the south, through the Grand Canal. The completion of Three Gorges Project strengthens the function and mechanism of shipping. The volume of freight traffic has surpassed that of the Mississippi and The Rhine in 2005, and in 2007 reached 1. 23 billion, which is twice as much as that of the former and three times that of the latter. Such a golden waterway makes traveling along Yangtze River very convenient. And experts estimate that the navigation capacity can reach up to 3 billion tons if its potential is fully developed in the future.