The Main Stream of Yangtze River in Yangtze River History

The Main Stream of Yangtze River in Yangtze River History - Origination

Yangtze River originates from the Mt. Geladandong in the southwest of Mt. Tanggula range. There are covered by lots of glaciers. When the glaciers thaw, they become the headstream of Yangtze River.

Melt along the glaciers, the water irrigates the field and crops, and people begin to call it the Mother River with Yellow River together.

The Main Stream of Yangtze River in Yangtze River History – Three Parts

In Yangtze River history, Yangtze River finally flows into the East China Sea, and it could be interpreted as three parts of the main stream. That is to say, the part from the headstream to the Yichang City of Hubei Province is called as the upper reaches of Yangtze River. The part between Yichang City to Hukou City of Jiangxi Province is called as the middle reaches of Yangtze River. And the part from Hukou City to Chongming Island is called as the lower reaches of Yangtze River. The details of the three parts are narrated as follows.

The upper reaches of Yangtze River is 3500 kilometers long, and the Tsumar River is the northern headstream of Yangtze River. The Muluwusu River is the southern headstream of Yangtze River with a very long flow path and rich water yield. Based on the records of Yangtze River history, the Tuotuo River is also one of the headstreams of Yangtze River. The Tuotuo River is the branch of the Muluwusu River.

The part from the estuary of Dangqu to Yushu City of Qinghai Province is called as "Tongtian River". It is 813 kilometers long with very wide river surface. Tongtian River flows slowly.

The part from Yushu City to Yibin City is called as the Jinsha River, which was called as the Lishui in ancient Yangtze River history. Jinsha River flows from the north to the south crossing the Mt. Hengduan. And then Jinsha River flows into the Sichuan Basin nearby Shigu Town of Yunnan Province converging with the Min River in Yibin City. Jinsha River is 2300 kilometers long.

The part from Yibin City to Shanghai Municipality is called as the Yangtze River.

The middle reaches of Yangtze River is about 1000 kilometers long. Because the middle reaches flows through the Sichuan basin, the part is also called as the Chuan River.

The watercourse is very long and winding. The part from Mt. Baidi of Fengjie County of Chongqing Municipality to the Nanjin Pass of Yichang City flows through the canyon zone that between Sichuan Province and the mountainous area the border of Hubei Province, which has been called the natural barrier of Yangtze River in Yangtze River history. There are Three Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge, Xiling Gorge stretches from the west to the east with 204 meters long. Yangtze Cruise will cruise through the Three Gorges.

The lower reaches of Yangtze River is 1850 meters long. The height difference of the river is very little and the speed of flowing is slowly. The narrowest of the lower reaches of Yangtze Riveris 650 meters wide.