Yangtze River History Overview Ⅱ

Yangtze River History Overview – Upstream

The upstream of the Yangtze River stretches across two terrain stages. It is 4529 kilometers long, which is 72 percents of the whole Yangtze River. It covers 1,006,000 square kilometers, which is 55.6 percents of the Yangtze River. The Tuotuo River and Tongtian River which are upstream of the Yangtze River flow at the first stage – in the hinterland of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As they located in the top of the plateau, where river valleys are wide and river channels are wide and shallow, so the rivers are about 300 – 1700 meters wide, the river courses are serpentine, and water flows slowly and with many tributaries. The part from Batang River to Yibin is named Jinsha River, which is the transition part of the first stage and the second stage. At this part, the terrain changes suddenly, and mountains are high, while valleys are deep. Almost parts of this river flow by the gorges quickly. When the river reaches shigu in Yunnan Province, it suddenly turns to the northeast side. The famous Hutiao (Tiger Jump) Gorge, which is 16 kilometers long and 30 meters wide at the narrowest part, just 35 kilometers away from there. After flow out from Hutiao Gorge, the Yangtze River passes through the west part of Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau and comes into the second stage after in Sichuan Province. It is named Yangtze River after it converges with Ming River in Yibin. The 1030 meters long river between Yibin and Yichang is named Chuan River. It converges with Tuo River, Jialing River, Wu River and some other tributaries. When the river passes by White Emperor City in Fengjie County, it reaches the transition part of the second stage and the third stage. And then, it flows into the famous Three Gorges (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge).

Yangtze River History Overview – Midstream

After came out from the Three Gorges, the Yangtze River comes into the third stage. At this stage, the river becomes wider and water flows slower. The midstream of the Yangtze River is 927 meters long, which is 14.7 percents of the Yangtze River; and the drainage area is 67.9 square kilometers, which is 37.6 percents of the total area. On the both banks of the midstream of the Yangtze River, there are many lakes, which connecting with the river and formed giant water systems.

Yangtze River History Overview – Downstream

In the downstream of the Yangtze River, the water is deep and river is wide. The downstream of Yangtze River is 844 kilometers long, which is 13.3 percents of the Yangtze River, and the drainage area is 12.3 square meters, which is 6.8 percents of the whole Yangtze River.

The main stream of the Yangtze River is long, and with many tributaries. So the water amount is large and it will not freeze in the whole year. The navigable mileage of the main stream is over 70,000 kilometers, including about 30,000 kilometers can navigate power vessel, and the 3,000 kilometers after Yichang can navigate ships, ten thousands tons ships can navigate to Nanjing directly. So, it is helpful for developing Yangtze Cruises tourist. At the same time, the main stream of Yangtze River linked with sea, which is not only beneficial for the connection of hinterland and coastal area, but also can strengthen the economy and trade communication with other countries. So, Yangtze River also named "Golden Waterway".

As for the wonderful Yangtze River History, it becomes a must go place in your tourist.