Yangtze or Changjiang river, longest river of Asia, in China, 6,300km in length. It is also a cradle of ancient Chinese civilization.

ID：022-2093 Three Gorges of the Yangtze River      Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

ID：022-0212 Three Gorges of the Yangtze River      Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

The most impressive section of the Yangtze river is the three or Gorgesthree Yangtze River gorges or Changjiang Sanxia: the Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as the Sanxia, or Three Gorges.

The most beautiful section of the Changjiang is the stretch between Fengjie, a small town east of Chongqing, and Yichang in the province of Hubei. This stretch used to be difficult to navigate, and during high water not possible at all, because of its raging torrents and numerous shallows. To move up-river, boats had to be towed. Blasting of the underwater shallows has now lessened the dangers.

ID：Three Gorges of the Yangtze River      Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

ID：Three Gorges of the Yangtze River     Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Li Wenbao

At a number of places the river, a mixture of raging torrents and dangerous shallows, winds its way through the gorges which are lined with rugged cliffs and high mountain peaks. There are many places of interest to tourists.

A sight-seeing tour of the Three Gorges and the historical and cultural monuments can be made only by boat. As a rule the excursion will commence in Chongqing and pass through Changzhou, Fuling, Fengdu, Zhongxian and Wanxian to Yichang.

ID：022-2092 Three Gorges of the Yangtze River     Picture Sources：ccnpic.com

ID：108516-00077 Three Gorges of the Yangtze River      Picture Sources：ccnpic.com Gong Fuqin

Between Zhongxian and Wanxian lies the fortified Treasury (Shi Bao Zhai), a high rock plateau. An unusual, pagoda-like staircase tower catches the eye, which was built into the rock face.

ID：010-0062 Three Gorges of the Yangtze River      Picture Sources：ccnpic.com 

  (CCNPIC Anna Luo)