description: From the wild windswept snowfields of its source in Tibet to the rich farmlands of its delta on the Yellow Sea, the mighty Yangzi has always had symbolic and practical significance for the Chinese. They refer to it simply as Changjiang, or Long River. Stretching for nearly 4,000 miles, the Yangzi is China's main artery, supporting a third of its people; it also serves as the country's main commercial waterway. Despite the legendary difficulties of navigation, the Yangzi River's magnificent Three Gorges have long attracted tourists for their grandeur and beauty. In this book, each of the gorges comes to life in a dramatic juxtaposition of bustling human activity on China's busiest waterway and soaring, breathtaking natural monuments that have inspired artists and travelers for millennia. This famous river and its spectacular gorges are now endangered by the world's largest dam project. This book summarizes the history, geography and local culture of this ancient and mythological region of China, with current information on its transformation. Millions of visitors pass along the great river without knowing the depths of its tradition or troubles. Three Gorges of the Yangzi River gives the best introduction to the area and its uncertain future. • New enlarged edition, more than twice the original size with much additional information • Essential information on this in-the-news region • Facts for the visitor including when and where to visit, what to bring, how to book • In-depth treatment of the its history and significance • Literary excerpts add a historical perspective • Recommended reading includes rare volumes as well as contemporary material • Specially commissioned cartography details the extent of future inundation caused by the Three Gorges Dam project • 55 color photographs and 4 maps
language: English
title: Three Gorges of the Yangzi River: The Grand Canyons of China, Second Edition
titlecomplete: Three Gorges of the Yangzi River: The Grand Canyons of China, Second Edition
series: Odyssey Guides
publisher: Odyssey Books & Maps