The Yangtze River originates in a glacier lying on the west Geladandong mountain in the Dangla Mountain Range on the eastern part of the Tibetan plateau. After 6,300 kilometers the Yangtze River flows into the East China Sea, making it the third longest river in the world. The Yangtze is navigable by ocean going vessels up to 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) from its mouth.
The river is one of the world's busiest waterways. Traffic includes commercial traffic transporting bulk goods such as coal as well as manufactured goods and passengers. A Yangtze River cruise is a "must do" for any tourists because of its most spectacular scenery imaginable.
The most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as the Three Gorges. Qutang Gorge is the shortest among the Three Gorges and the most spectacular. As soon as the roaring Yangtze River rushes into the gorge, it meets head-on with the imposing Kuimen Gate. Rocky mountains rise vertically like walls on both sides of the river squeezing the broad river into a narrow ribbon threading its way in the gorge. When the river flows out of Qutang Gorge it passes the broad valley of the Daning River before it enters the scenic Wuxia Gorge full of zigzag, weird peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights.
Since the 9th century, the Yangtze River Delta has been the most populous area of China, and one of the most densely populated areas of the world. During the mid to late period of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the region emerged as an economic center, and the Yangtze River Delta became the most important agricultural, handicraft, industrial and economic center for late Tang China. Today more than 80 million people live in the Yangtze Delta, of which an estimated 50 million are urban. Out of these an estimated 12 million live in Shanghai, the most populous city in the delta and in the whole of China.
Flooding along the river has been a major problem. The rainy season in areas south of Yangtze River is May and June, and in areas north of it, it is July and August. The huge river system receives water both from southern and northern flanks, which causes its flood season to extend from May to August. The dense population and rich cities along the river sometimes make the floods extremely deadly and costly. In 1995 construction began of the Three Gorges Dam, it is the largest hydro-electric power station in the world; it measures about 200 meters (600 feet) high and 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) wide. It is also the largest comprehensive irrigation project in the world and has a significant impact on China's agriculture, and helps controlling the flooding.
