Yangtze River History – Shipping

The long history Yangtze River shipping experienced ancient times, modern times and recent periods. It accumulated profound historical culture.

Yangtze River Shipping History – Ancient Times

The ancient Yangtze River shipping experienced sprouting, rising and development stages during New Stone Age and the eve of Opium War. As the level of the productive forces is low at that time, the shipping industry developed very slowly. Since the canoe appeared in ancient times, there appeared wooden sailing ship in Han Dynasty which widely navigated on the Yangtze River. Until Tang Dynasty, Yangtze River became the river which with longest navigable mileage and largest cargo amount. The work song which singed by the boat trackers when they move head with heavy cargo in Chuanjiang River area showed the strong will and endeavor spirit of these boat trackers. It is the crystal of workman's wisdom. The famous Chuanjiang Work Song has become "living fossil" of Chuanjiang Culture. As the advantages of Yangtze River shipping, people who take Yangtze River cruises will have fun of "set out from White Emperor City in the morning when the colorful cloud surrounding here, and then get back from the thousands miles river just in one day".

Yangtze River Shipping History – Modern Times

In modern times Yangtze River shipping, China was in semi-colonial and semi-feudal society so that foreign shipping force permeate into Yangtze River. Yangtze River shipping came into the historical period of humiliation and struggle. The exploit of foreign capital accelerated the disintegration of feudal economy; on the other hand, the old wooden ships were ravaged and new style ships were put into operation. The China Merchants Ship Shipping Company was set up in Shanghai in 1873, which is the first one company set up under the government construction.

Yangtze River Shipping History – Recent Periods

After the New China was built, the Yangtze River shipping got great development. In the early period of liberation, in order to develop Yangtze River shipping, the government took some methods to lead the Yangtze River shipping to the correct development way. While the railway and road along Yangtze River fall behind, the Yangtze River shipping worked as main transportation method. When floods happened in Yangtze River area, which threatened the safe of life and property, Yangtze River shipping played an important role in fighting against floods. Especially after reform and opening to the outside world, the workers of Yangtze River created better shipping condition which is meaningful for all the Yangtze River Basin and the development of Yangtze Cruises.