Source of the Yangtze River

Source of the Yangtze River

Introduction The Yangtze River is 6,380 kilometers long, making it the third longest river in the world. Its source is located at the Geladandong Glacier Peak, the main peak of the Tanggula Mountain Range in southern Qinghai Province. In 1979, it was discovered that the true source of the Yangtze River is the Tuotuo River. The scenery at the source of the Yangtze River is spectacular, featuring snow-capped mountains and glaciers, vast grasslands, and the reflections of blue skies and white clouds in the river water, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

Entering Tibet via the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, you will pass by the “Source of the Yangtze River” stele inscribed by [Comrade’s Name]. The stone stele is about one kilometer away from the highway, and it is quite convenient to drive there. Near the stele, there is also a large bridge. Since it is the first bridge on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, it is called the “First Bridge over the Yangtze River.”

The Yangtze River source area consists of the main stream Tuotuo River, the southern source Danqu, and the northern source Chumar River. After the Tuotuo River and Danqu converge, the river is called the Tongtian River. The Tongtian River flows through the territory of the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, and after receiving the Batang River, it enters the high mountain gorges at the border between the Tibet Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province, where it is known as the Jinsha River. The Jinsha River flows through the famous Hengduan Mountain Range, cutting through deep canyons on the northern side of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and continues to the city of Yibin in Sichuan Province. It is not until it meets the Min River, which flows from the north, in Yibin that it is called the Yangtze River.

Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai