The China Teaching Web

For thousands of years, the Yangtze River has been both a blessing and a curse for the millions of Chinese people who have lived within its reach. Originating from a glacier in the Tibetan plateau, its powerful waters dip South into beautiful Yunnan Province and then run through Central China all the way to Shanghai and the East China Sea. The Yangtze River, or Chang Jiang (’Long River’) as it is called locally, is the longest river in Asia and is the third largest river in the world; only the Amazon and Nile Rivers are longer.  The Yangtze River does stand alone in one category; it is the deepest river in the world.

The mighty Chang Jiang has played a major role in Chinese history. It has been a vital lifeline for the millions of Chinese people who have made their homes on its banks. Over the past 5000 years or more, the Yangtze River has provided water for irrigation and a livelihood for fishermen. It has also linked China together as well as served as a boundary between North and South China during periods of war. Today, it is an enduring symbol of China’s rich culture and history.

However, while the Yangtze River has served the Chinese people well over thousands of years, it has also caused much death and destruction in China. Historically, flooding on the Yangtze River has always been a major problem but the toll has been much more costly in the last few centuries as bigger cities and larger populations inched closer to its banks. In the 20th century alone, it is estimated that close to half a million people died as a result of floods along the Yangtze River.

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Today, the Yangtze River is changing as the Chinese government attempts to minimize these floods. Near the legendary Three Gorges, the world’s largest dam is nearly complete, a project which has lasted over 15 years and has cost at least 20 billion dollars. The Chinese government says that the dam, which is over a mile long and a 100 metres in length, will greatly reduce flooding along the Yangtze River as well as provide electricity for up to 10 percent of China’s energy needs. The dam is expected to be fully functional sometime in 2010.

Cities have been submerged and many ancient treasures have been lost but cruising down the Yangtze River is still the experience of a lifetime. The natural beauty and the fascinating culture that accompanies the River’s flow is not to be missed if you venture into Central China.

**These Yangtze River photos belong to the China Teaching Web. The photos of the Yangtze River may be used for educational purposes as long as you give us credit.