Yangtze River
Yangtze River *Chang Jiang*, Asia’s longest river, courses roughly 6,300 km across China from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea, shaping landscapes, cultures, and economies along its path.
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Geography
| Continent | Asia |
|---|---|
| Region | East Asia |
| Subregion | East Asia |
| Country | China |
| State | TibetQinghaiTianjinShaanxiHubeiAnhuiJiangsuShanghai |
| Timezone | AsiaShanghai |
| Latitude | 30 |
| Longitude | 103 |
| Maps |
3:57 AM LOCAL TIMEThe Yangtze River (Chinese: Chang Jiang, meaning 'Long River') is the paramount waterway of eastern China, stretching approximately 6,300 km from high-altitude glaciers and plateaus in Qinghai and the Tibet Plateau. It flows eastward through diverse landscapes—urbanized valleys near Shanghai, fertile floodplains in Hubei and Jiangsu, and industrial corridors—serving as a backbone for transport, water supply, and hydropower (notably the Three Gorges Dam). The basin is a cultural crossroads, home to some of China’s oldest civilizations and major cities. Visitors often explore the river via multi-day cruises between Yichang and Nanjing or visit key sites along tributaries and urban centers; however, most activity is centered on regional transport and hydropower infrastructure. The Yangtze’s vast basin faces environmental pressures—dams, pollution, habitat loss—making its protected areas, parks, and heritage sites vital to conservation and responsible travel.
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