Where Is the Yangtze River? China's Great Artery

Location and Course of the Chang Jiang

The Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) is Asia's longest river and the third-longest globally (6,300 km / 3,915 mi). It flows entirely within China, traversing east-central regions.

Provinces & Regions Crossed

1. Qinghai: Source on the Tibetan Plateau (Geladandong Glacier).
2. Tibet (Xizang): Upper reaches through high valleys.
3. Sichuan: Jinsha River section; dramatic gorges.
4. Yunnan: Tiger Leaping Gorge—world's deepest river canyon.
5. Chongqing: Major municipality; Three Gorges begin.
6. Hubei: Three Gorges Dam; Wuhan at Han River confluence.
7. Hunan: Dongting Lake connection.
8. Jiangxi: Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake.
9. Anhui: Floodplain agriculture.
10. Jiangsu: Grand Canal intersection; Nanjing.
11. Shanghai: Megacity at the estuary; East China Sea mouth.

Significance

Water for 400M+ people, hydroelectricity (Three Gorges = world's largest dam), transport artery, rice bowl, and cultural cradle. The Yangtze is central China.