Yangtze River in a glance

The longest river in Asia and also the fourth longest in the world, the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) flows for 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometers) from the Kunlun Mountains of Tibet in western China to the East China Sea just north of Shanghai, crossing 12 of China's provinces and autonomous regions.

More than three quarters of the river's course runs through mountains. Beginning in the relatively level Tibetan Highlands, it descends to cut through snowcapped mountains with elevations of 16,000 feet (4,900 meters).

Leaving Sichuan, the Yangtze enters the beautiful but dangerous Three Gorges, a stretch of about 120 miles (193 kilometers).

The Highlights at Three Gorges, include stretches of majestic cliffs and spectacular scenery, along with ancient towns and remote villages, affording an opportunity to see life as it is lived in the heartland of the world's most populous nation. You will also have an opportunity to see the world's largest dam project, which will eventually bring many changes to this dynamic region.