The Yangtze River

The Yangtze River flows across China. It is the longest river in Asia. The river begins high up in the mountains of Tibet. Then it travels all the way to the East China Sea, passing big cities like Shanghai.

A Long Journey

The Yangtze is about 3,900 miles long. It flows through deep valleys called the Three Gorges. The river has been very important to China for thousands of years. People use it to travel, fish, and water their crops.

A map shows the Yangtze River flowing across China.
A map shows the Yangtze River flowing across China. (User:Shannon1 / Wikimedia Commons)

The Three Gorges Dam

A huge dam called the Three Gorges Dam was built on the Yangtze. It is one of the biggest dams in the world. The dam makes electricity for millions of people. It also helps stop floods in the towns below.

Fun Facts

  • The Yangtze is the longest river that stays entirely within one country.
  • The rare Chinese alligator lives in parts of the Yangtze.
  • The river's name means 'long river' in Chinese.

Did You Know?

Fossils of ancient humans have been found in caves along the Yangtze River, showing people have lived there for over a million years.