Yangtze River
Yangtze River or Chang Jiang River is the longest river in the territory of China. Also known under the name Chandzyan, it is actually the longest river in all of Asia, and the third longest in the world, right after the Amazon river in South America and the Nile in Africa. Along with her sister Joan Hy, river Yangtze is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. In literal translation name Yangtze means "long river". Its river basin is identified with high soil fertility and for centuries it was known as the breadbasket of China.
Yangtze River reaches a record length of 6300 km. It springs from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, having started from a height of 5 meters. Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is the first and highest of the three steps, forming the landscape of China, and from here the river Yangtze heads east to merge finally into the eastern sea of China.
East China Sea forms the boundary between the southern and northern parts of the country, while it is also the main waterway of China. Departing from the Tibetan mountains, waters of the Yangtze passes through several Chinese cities, as some of the largest are Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Chongqing.
Going through many major and important cities of China, the Yangtze River was an important trade and transportation route since ancient times. Today, the largest river in China is mainly used for commercial purposes, such as ships travelling hundreds of miles back on it, passing through its delta near the East China Sea.
Furthermore, along the river one can feel the incredible harmony between river and nature, but also the exotic Orient. A long walk along the Yangtze is able for most to reveal the life and culture in the vast Chinese Republic. However, that is the valley of the Yangtze with the birth of ancient civilization of China.
Lots of beautiful scenery and picturesque landscapes can be seen along the Yangtze. Moreover, its coasts over the centuries have formed numerous historical and cultural cities, including Suzhou and Hangzhou.
The Chinese have a proverb which says that the best place in heaven is heaven and on earth is the places of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Among the most beautiful landscapes, along the rapid flow of Yangtze River are Tai Lake, Mount Lu, and the pleasant Wuhan. Yangtze flows also in the ancient capital of China - Naning, which is a political and cultural center of the southern part of the country.
The enormous and inexhaustible hydroelectric resources of the Yangtze do not produce waste gases and polluted water. Yangtze River is considered a "queen" of all energies, as it is able to generate huge profits with minimal power. In its middle reaches, the Yangtze has three Gorges, extending 200 km along the river course.
This natural beauty is incredibly rich. Some of the biggest attractions of China are located precisely in this area - the City of White Emperor, 20 beautiful mountain peaks, which are called Mountains of the Goddesses. They are related to many ancient Chinese legends, intertwined romantic love stories and tales of gods.
Today, the world's largest artificial reservoir project is being built around the three gorges. As a result, the Yangtze will be limited by them, which will also increase the water level of river. A significant part of natural formations and some cultural sites will fall under water, view of the landscape will become of a radically different kind.
