The Yangtze River: A Flowing Landscape Painting and Cultural Treasure Trove

I. Introduction

The Yangtze River, as the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, originates from the Geladandong Peak on the southwest side of the Tanggula Mountains in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its main stream flows through 11 provincial-level administrative regions including Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shanghai, before emptying into the East China Sea east of Chongming Island. It is like a green silk ribbon gently flowing across the Chinese land, nurturing Chinese civilization and witnessing numerous historical changes. The beauty of the Yangtze River has both magnificent and delicate aspects, making it a captivating sight.

II. History of the Yangtze River

The history of the Yangtze River can be traced back to the Jurassic Yanshan Movement period 140 million years ago. During that time, the Tanggula Mountains were formed in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was gradually uplifted, forming many high mountains, deep valleys, depressions, and rift valleys. The Dabie Mountains and the Wu Mountains between Sichuan and Hubei in the middle and lower reaches were also uplifted, and the Sichuan Basin was depressed. The ancient Mediterranean Sea continued to retreat westward. 30-40 million years ago in the Eocene epoch, the Himalayan movement occurred intensely, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was uplifted, the ancient Mediterranean Sea disappeared, and the Yangtze River basin generally rose intermittently. 3 million years ago, the Himalayas were intensely uplifted, and the western part of the Yangtze River basin was further uplifted. The ancient Yangtze River's upstream flow, extending from Hubei towards the Sichuan Basin, accelerates as it cuts through the Wushan Mountains, seamlessly linking the east and west of the ancient river. The river water surged into the East China Sea, and today's Yangtze River was formed.

III. Landscape of the Yangtze River

The landforms along the Yangtze River basin are rich and diverse, and can be divided into three steps according to large geomorphic regions. The western fault block uplift plateau and high mountain area is the highest step of the Yangtze River basin, with steep terrain, deep gorges, and typical glacial and karst landforms. The central folded uplift middle and low mountain area has a significantly lower terrain than the western step, mainly medium-sized mountains, followed by low mountains, without high mountains and plateaus. The eastern plain area has low and flat terrain, dense river networks, and numerous lakes. It is a famous land of fish and rice. The scenery of the Yangtze River changes infinitely with the four seasons. In spring, everything comes back to life, and the two banks are full of greenery; in summer, the river water is surging and magnificent; in autumn, the golden wind is refreshing, and the forests are dyed in layers; in winter, although the river water does not freeze, the snow on both banks adds a sense of tranquility and mystery to the Yangtze River.

IV. Ecological Products of the Yangtze River

The Yangtze River basin is a treasure trove of biodiversity, with many rare animals and plants. In terms of animals, there are Chinese sturgeon, finless porpoise, Chinese alligator, Dorcus titanus, black-necked crane, Sichuan golden monkey, etc. Among them, the Chinese sturgeon is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and is a first-class nationally protected wild animal in China; the finless porpoise is lively and often swims in the water, feeding on fish such as herring, silverfish, and large silver fish, as well as shrimp and cuttlefish. In terms of plants, there are Davidia involucrata and southern yew. Davidia involucrata prefers to grow in humid evergreen broad-leaved and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests at an altitude of 1500-2200 meters, mostly in humid air, and prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil with deep humus; southern yew is a natural rare anti-cancer plant recognized as endangered in the world, and is a relic species from the Quaternary glaciation period, with a history of 2.5 million years on earth.

V. Sights Along the River

(I) The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River consist of the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and Xiling Gorge. Qutang Gorge is majestic and dangerous, with attractions such as Baidi City, Kuimen, Mengliang Ladder, hanging coffins, and ancient plank roads; Wu Gorge is quiet and beautiful, with the famous twelve peaks of Wu Mountain lining the north and south banks of the Yangtze River, among which Shennv Peak is the most prominent; Xiling Gorge has many rapids and swift currents, with attractions such as Bingshu Baojian Gorge, Niugan Mafei Gorge, Dengying Gorge, Huangmao Gorge, and tourist attractions such as Qu Yuan's hometown in Zigui, Huangling Temple, and San You Cave.

(II) Other Scenic Spots

Chongqing: There are Jinyun Mountain, North and South Hot Springs, Fengdu "Ghost City", Shibao Village in Zhong County, Zhang Fei Temple in Yunyang, etc.

Hubei: Yichang has the Gezhouba Water Control Project, Dangyang Yuquan Temple, Jingzhou Ancient City, Chibi, etc.

Hunan: Yueyang has Yueyang Tower.

Jiangxi: Pengze has Xiaogu Mountain, and the mouth of Poyang Lake has Shizhong Mountain.

Jiangsu: Zhenjiang has "Three Mountains", Nantong has Lang Mountain, etc.

VI. Provinces Along the River

(I) Qinghai

Qinghai Province is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, with high terrain and numerous high mountains, deep valleys, depressions, and rift valleys. The geological structure here is mostly in the form of fault blocks and fault folds, with the mountain range direction consistent with the structural line, forming a landform combination of plateau shallow valleys and high mountain gorges. Qinghai Lake, as the largest inland lake in China, has blue lake water and vast grasslands around it. It is an excellent place to enjoy plateau scenery and experience Tibetan culture.

(II) Tibet

Tibet is located in the source area of the Yangtze River, with magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and mysterious religious culture. Namtso, one of the three holy lakes in Tibet, has clear and blue lake water, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding snow-capped mountains. It is a paradise for photographers. The Potala Palace, as a landmark building in Tibet, is not only magnificent in architecture but also contains rich historical and cultural connotations.

(III) Sichuan

Sichuan is an important province in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It has the famous Dujiangyan irrigation project, as well as natural scenery such as Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong. The Sichuan Basin has flat terrain, humid climate, and rich products. It is one of China's granaries. Jiuzhaigou is famous for its colorful lakes, waterfalls, and virgin forests, and is known as a "paradise on earth". Mount Emei, as one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, has majestic mountains and beautiful scenery. It is a good place for mountain climbing and pilgrimage.

(IV) Yunnan

Yunnan is located in the Jinsha River section of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It has unique karst landforms and rich ethnic culture. The ancient city of Lijiang attracts numerous tourists with its simple architectural style and leisurely pace of life. Shangri-La, as the "sun and moon in the heart", has magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and mysterious Tibetan Buddhist culture. It is a holy place for adventure and pilgrimage.

(V) Chongqing

Chongqing is an important city in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It has unique mountain city scenery and hot pot cuisine. The night view of Chongqing is dazzling, with attractions such as Hongya Cave and Liberation Monument attracting numerous tourists. Wulong Natural Three Bridges is famous for its spectacular karst landforms and unique natural scenery. It is one of the filming locations of the movie "Transformers 4".

(VI) Hubei

Hubei is an important province in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It has attractions such as the Yellow Crane Tower and East Lake in Wuhan. Wuhan is a famous historical and cultural city in China, as well as an important transportation hub and industrial base. The Yellow Crane Tower, as one of the three famous towers in the south of the Yangtze River, is famous for its long history and magnificent scenery. Enshi Grand Canyon attracts numerous tourists with its dangerous gorges, clear streams, and unique Tujia culture.

(VII) Hunan

Hunan has famous attractions such as Yueyang Tower and Zhangjiajie. Yueyang Tower is one of the three famous towers in the south of the Yangtze River, famous for its long history and magnificent scenery. Zhangjiajie is known for its strange peaks, clear waters, and secluded valleys. It is known as an "enlarged bonsai and a reduced fairyland". Phoenix Ancient City attracts numerous tourists with its simple architectural style and rich Miao culture.

(VIII) Jiangxi

Jiangxi has attractions such as Lushan Mountain and Jinggang Mountain. Lushan Mountain is a famous summer resort and scenic spot in China, famous for its magnificence, strangeness, danger, and beauty. Jinggang Mountain is the cradle of Chinese revolution and has rich red tourism resources. Poyang Lake, as the largest freshwater lake in China, has beautiful lakes and mountains. It is a good place to watch migratory birds and experience the life of fishermen.

(IX) Anhui

Anhui has attractions such as Mount Huangshan and Mount Jiuhua. Mount Huangshan is famous for its "four wonders" of strange pines, rock formations, sea of clouds, and hot springs. It is known as the "most wonderful mountain in the world". Mount Jiuhua is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. It has numerous temples and cultural relics. Ancient villages such as Hongcun and Xidi attract numerous tourists with their simple architectural style and unique Huizhou culture.

(X) Jiangsu

Jiangsu has attractions such as Suzhou gardens and Nanjing Zhongshan Mausoleum. Suzhou gardens are famous for their exquisite layout and unique artistic style. They are known as "the best gardens in the south of the Yangtze River". The Nanjing Zhongshan Mausoleum is the tomb of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great pioneer of China's modern democratic revolution. The building is magnificent and has high historical and cultural value. Yangzhou Slender West Lake attracts numerous tourists with its beautiful lakes and mountains and rich historical and cultural connotations.

(XI) Shanghai

Shanghai is the estuary of the Yangtze River. It has attractions such as the Bund and Oriental Pearl Tower. Shanghai is China's economic center and an international metropolis. It has unique city scenery and rich cultural heritage. The international architecture complex on the Bund and the night view of the Huangpu River are Shanghai's landmark landscapes. Disneyland attracts numerous tourists with its rich amusement facilities and unique theme culture.