Yangtze River China Postcard

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, stretching about 6,300 kilometres (3,917 miles) across China from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea near Shanghai. It is a vital artery for China’s economy, culture, and history, serving as a major route for transport, agriculture, and trade for thousands of years. The river flows through diverse landscapes, including mountains, gorges, plains, and wetlands, and passes many significant cities, such as Chongqing, Wuhan, and Nanjing. The Yangtze is also ecologically important, home to rare and endangered species like the Yangtze giant softshell turtle, Chinese sturgeon, and the elusive Yangtze River dolphin (baiji), though some species have been critically threatened due to pollution, dams, and habitat loss. One of the river’s most famous features is the Three Gorges, a spectacular series of cliffs and canyons that also hosts the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. The Yangtze’s historical, cultural, and environmental significance makes it a cornerstone of Chinese civilisation.