Yangtze River - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia
Discover China's longest river and its vital role in history, culture, and ecology
What is the Yangtze River?
The Yangtze River, known as Chang Jiang in Chinese (meaning "Long River"), is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world. At 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) long, it flows from the Tibetan Plateau all the way to the East China Sea near Shanghai.
This mighty river is often called the "cradle of Chinese civilization" because it has been central to China's history, culture, and economy for thousands of years. About one-third of China's population lives in the Yangtze River basin, which produces nearly half of China's crops!
River Fact!
The Yangtze carries more water than any other river in China - about 30,000 cubic meters every second at its mouth!
Geography & Flow
The Yangtze begins as melted snow and ice on the Tibetan Plateau, 5,042 meters (16,542 feet) above sea level. It flows eastward through 10 provinces before emptying into the East China Sea near Shanghai.
Along its journey, the river passes through spectacular landscapes including:
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Source region with glaciers and mountain streams
Three Gorges
Deep canyons with towering cliffs on both sides
Sichuan Basin
Fertile agricultural region known as "China's Rice Bowl"
Jianghan Plain
Flat agricultural lands with many lakes
Yangtze Delta
Where the river meets the sea near Shanghai
The river is divided into three main sections:
Upper Reaches: From the source to Yichang (steep, fast-flowing)
Middle Reaches: From Yichang to Hukou (wider with many lakes)
Lower Reaches: From Hukou to the sea (broad, slow, and deep)
The Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest power station and the most famous structure on the Yangtze River. Completed in 2012, this engineering marvel is:
Power Generator
Produces 22,500 megawatts of electricity - enough for millions of homes
Navigation Aid
Massive ship locks allow large vessels to pass through the dam
Flood Control
Reduces flood risk for 15 million people downstream
While the dam provides clean energy and flood control, it also created significant changes:
• Over 1.3 million people were relocated
• 13 cities and 1,350 villages were submerged
• Many historical sites and ecosystems were permanently changed
The dam created a reservoir 660 kilometers long - that's longer than Lake Superior!
Wildlife & Ecosystem
The Yangtze River basin is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth, home to:
Yangtze Finless Porpoise
The world's only freshwater porpoise, critically endangered
Chinese Alligator
One of only two alligator species, found only in the Yangtze basin
Chinese Paddlefish
Declared extinct in 2020 after surviving for 200 million years
Sadly, the Yangtze River dolphin (Baiji) was declared functionally extinct in 2006 after a survey couldn't find any remaining in the river. This was the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human activity.
Conservation efforts are now focused on protecting the remaining Yangtze finless porpoise, with only about 1,000 individuals left. Protected areas have been established to help this species survive.
Pollution Challenges
The Yangtze faces significant environmental challenges:
Industrial Pollution
Factories along the river discharge chemicals and heavy metals
Agricultural Runoff
Fertilizers and pesticides wash into the river from farms
Plastic Waste
The Yangtze carries more plastic to oceans than any other river
Sewage
Millions of people contribute untreated wastewater
China has launched major cleanup efforts:
• Banned fishing in the entire river for 10 years to restore fish populations
• Established the Yangtze River Protection Law in 2021
• Invested in wastewater treatment plants along the river
• Created protected areas for endangered species
These efforts are beginning to show positive results, with water quality improving in many sections of the river.
Yangtze River Quiz
Test your knowledge about the Yangtze River with this quiz! Answer all 5 questions to see how much you've learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the Yangtze River:
Yangtze River Trivia
Discover some amazing facts about the Yangtze River!
Ancient Highway
The Yangtze has been a transportation route for over 2,000 years! During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), over 9,000 ships traveled the river each year, carrying goods between different regions of China.
Bridge Capital
There are over 100 bridges crossing the Yangtze River! Nanjing alone has 6 bridges, including the double-decker Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge that carries both road and rail traffic on different levels.
Literary Inspiration
The Yangtze appears in countless Chinese poems and stories. The famous 16th-century novel "Journey to the West" includes adventures along the river, and many poets wrote about its beauty.
Deep Gorges
The Three Gorges section features cliffs that rise over 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) above the river! The Qutang Gorge is the shortest but most dramatic, with mountains so steep that sunlight only reaches the river for an hour each day.
