About Yangtze River - the longest river in China, and No. 3 in the world
The mighty Yangtze, largest river in China and third longest in the world, is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. The "Ten Thousand Li River" flows 6,300 kilometres from the snowy heights of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the East China Sea, just north of Shanghai. It goes by many local names, but to the Chinese it is most famous simply as Chang Jiang (Long River).
The old saying goes "If you haven't traveled up Chang Jiang, you haven't been anywhere" because the river winds through some of China's most spectacular scenery. In the western Wu Shan (Witch Mountains) it meets the world-famous Three Gorges, renowned for their dramatic beauty, cultural treasures, religious and historical sites, and now for the building of the controversial Three Gorges Dam.
The stunning scenery makes the Three Gorges cruise along the Yangtze a "must do" , alone or as part of a longer trip, particularly against the backdrop of the rising waters, newly navigable tributaries and of course, the Dam itself, due for completion in 2009. The world's largest hydroelectric power plant will generate the equivalent of 15 nuclear plants, control the centuries-old problem of devastating floods and allow navigation well into the interior. (25% of China's ocean cargo enters the river between Shanghai and the sea.)
Chang Jiang has always been a major means of transport, with a colorful and exciting history. Ships were hauled bodily through some of the more dangerous reaches by "trackers" working from narrow paths cut into the steep cliffsides.The pilots and captains, picking their way through the whirlpools, rocks and wildly fluctuating water levels have achieved legendary status.
These days, however, you can cruise the Yangtze in comfort and take in various sites and shore excursions along the way. The following are the attractions between Chonqing and Yichang listed from west to east: Chongqing , Fengdu , Zhongxian, Shibaozhai , Wanxian, Yunyang , Fengjie , Badong , Zigui , Maoping , Yichang , Plus Three Gorges , Lesser Three Gorges , Shennong Stream , Three Gorges Dam . If you end your cruise at Wuhan , there are will be more attractions for you to visist, like East Lake , Yellow Crane Tower . When your cruise extends to Shanghai , you will shore excursion to Nanjing and Yellow Mountain.
Apart from the beautiful Sceneries, you will enjoy a lot from the particular local culture like: Burry Custom, Festivals, Gost City, Peddlers, Relics, Remains and the Trackers.
We hope you enjoy browsing this page, and it guides you to the right Yangtze. WeĦŻve gathered a lot of information about this area, and we keep it up to date. We also offer ships and cruises for every taste and budget, ranging from top end five star luxury through four and three star comfort to economical local ferries. Ships sail between Chongqing, Yichang, Wuhan and Shanghai. We ensure you will have an wonderful cruise on yangtze which covers the essential attractions listed above.
