Flow along with the Yangtze River

As the largest and longest river in China, the mighty Yangtze River is over 6,300 km (about 4,000 miles) long. Emanating from the snow mountains of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Yangtze River swells through 11 provinces and flows into the East Sea.

Yangtze River has plentiful traveling resources mostly clustering around the mainstream area from Chongqing to Shanghai, it boasts widespread natural scenery, rich cultural relics and man-made charms like the Three Gorges Dam. This will help you get the facts about Yangtze River, including holidays in China and Yangtze River cruise guide.

Flowing along the Yangtze River, you can enjoy top attractions and unique culture at upscale ships. Sailing out from Chongqing, grand mountains stretches along your trip. Fengdu Ghost city and Shibaozhai draw travelers’ attentions for the ancient Chinese architectures. If time is available, you can go ashore and take a close tour. However, the picturesque gorges can be totally enjoyed even from the ships. Qutang gorge is the first well-known gorge on your tour, with the most dramatic scenery. The river navigates through the gorge’s sheer, steep cliffs where the Meng Liang staircase from the Song Dynasty can be seen.

Lesser Three Gorges put deep impress on visitors, sheer cliffs and steep mountains rise on either side, creating the natural scenic wonders unfold on both banks of the river. Wu gorge and Xiling gorge have their own beauty. What’s more, the Three Gorges Dam is a man-made miracle on Yangtze River, which is by far the largest hydroelectric project in the world. You can appreciate it closely during your tour. The trip will end at Shanghai, the most prosperous city in China.

As Yangtze River flows through 11 provinces, the culture along the river is of various and mixed kind. With the knowledge of the following three will add more fun to your travel. Ba & Shu culture is the main culture in the upper reaches of Yangtze River. Originated from the traditional Sichuan and Chongqing culture and with enormous exchanges between the two cultures, the merging Ba & Shu culture is filled with absorbing legends and intriguing folklore. With great-hearted local people and abundant heritages, the Ba & Shu culture is mysterious. The bamboo products are a symbol of this culture along Yangtze River. Moving legends along the Yangtze River make the tour more interesting.

Two legends touch many visitors: the Goddess Peak’s story and a story of Peach-blossom Jellyfish. The first is about Yao Ji, the twenty-third daughter of Xi Wang Mu (Queen Mother of the West), who dedicated to live in the Three Gorges forever to prevent disasters and protect the people there and reincarnated as the Goddess Peak. The later is about Wang Zhaojun, a historical beauty of Han Dynasty.

When Wang Zhaojun left her hometown, she cried, her tears fell into the Yangtze River and became the colorful jelly fish, which is called Peach-blossom Jellyfish. Dragon Boat Racing on Yangtz River is a royal activity to celebrate the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. Splendid dragon boat made by wood has a charm to the people and the fierce racing is a feast for the eyes. Flowing along the Yangtze River, you can experience more unique culture.

The best time to flow along the Yangtze River is during April-May and September-October. This is also the height of the Yangtze River cruise season. At these times of the year the weather is warm and mild. You can also choose a trip at slack season and enjoy a totally different scenery for your tours China.