Yangtze River
The Yangtze, or Changjiang River, is the longest river in China. It originates from the Tanggula Range in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with headwaters originating in a glacier 5,400 meters (17,717 miles) high. The main stream flows in an orderly fashion through Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai then enters the East China Sea. The length of 6,300 km (6,890 yards) makes the Chinese mother river the third longest river in the world.
As the cradle of the Chinese people, its reaches also abound in cultural relics, attractive landscapes, and distinctive customs, all worth a visit.
Yangtze River-Scenic Spots by Route
Chongqing:
Dazu Rock Carvings, Three Gorges Museum, Residence of General Joseph W. Stilwell, People's Assembly Hall, Northern & Southern Hot Springs Park
Fengdu - Ghost City
Located east of Chongqing City on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Ghost City was built as the imaginary world of ghosts. Its constructions rest primarily on two mountains, the Ming and the Shuanggui. Stepping through the gate on Ming Mountain, visitors will see Yinyang Bridge through which ghosts return to the real world and Yellow Spring Road through which dead people register with the King of Hell. Heading on, they will find a tower with an inscribed board suggesting 'the Gate of Hell' (Guimenguan). Then a cluster of halls appears, including the Grand Hall, Ghost Torturing Bridge, and Jade Emperor Hall.
Admission Fee RMB 60 (Excluding 20 for cable car) Opening Hours 09:10 to 17:00
Zhongxian - Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Stronghold)
On the Yuyin Hill (Jade Seal Hill) 45 kilometers (28 miles) of Zhongxian County is the Shibaozhai (Precious Stone Stronghold). It is composed of three parts -- the gate of the stronghold, a tower, and the temple on the hilltop. In the early reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911), someone built a temple on the peak by dint of iron chains, but common people could not reach it. Then skillful craftsmen were invited to design a construction; they developed the elaborate 12-storey tower, the only path by which to ascend. The wooden tower has one of its four corners hidden in the hill. On each storey there are statues of the immortals and memorials. It is a pleasure to see the river scenery from the delicate tower!
Admission Fee CNY 20 Opening Hours 09:10 to 16:50
Yunyang - Zhang Fei Temple
Zhang Fei Temple was built in honor of the valiant general Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms Period (220 - 280). This magnificent complex of halls became hidden in the densely thriving forests, taking up an area of over 4,000 sq meters (4,784 sq yards). The main constructions include the Jieyi Tower to immortalize the sworn brotherhood of Zhang Fei, Guan Yu and Liu Bei; the main hall to worship Zhang Fei, the Wangyun Xuan to exemplify the home of Guan Yu, and other pavilions in honor of the poet Du Fu who had lived there for two years.
Admission Fee RMB 20
Fengjie: Baidi City (White Emperor City)
Baidi City, which is about 8km (5mi) away from Fengjie City, is a must for Yangtze cruise travelers. It is built on the Baidi Mountain and accommodates more than 1,000 pieces of exquisite cultural relics from the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).
Three Gorges of the Yangtze River
Qutang Gorge: Ancient Plank Road, Bellows Gorge (Fengxiang Xia), Daxi Culture, Meng Liang Stairway, Rhinoceros Looking at the Moon
Wushan: Twelve Peaks
Wu Gorge: Three Little Gorges
Badong: Shennong Stream
Zigui: Qu Yuan Memorial Hall , Fragrant Stream (Xiangxi Stream)
Xiling Gorge: Nanjin Pass, Ox Liver and Horse Lungs' Gorge, Lantern Shadow Gorge, Military Books and Precious Sword Gorge
Yichang: Three Gorges Dam
Wuhan:
Yangtze River Bridge, Yellow Crane Tower, Heptachord Terrace, Guiyuan Buddhist Temple, Hubei Provincial Museum, East Lake