The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, is home to some of the country’s most stunning waterfalls. Far from being a single feature, the Yangtze is dotted with several cascading waterfalls given various names. While the highest and most impressive of these feature on China’s famous Three Gorges tourist route, plenty of other smaller waterfalls can be found during a visit to the river.
Dozens of waterfalls can be found entering the Yangtze River, varying in both size and shape. According to a study by Chinese geographer Yang Weizhou, the river has close to 204 waterfalls distributed on its length. With most of these existing at ‘backward valleys’, the actual number is likely to be much higher just taking into account the untapped and less accessible sections of the river.
The famous Three Gorges route offers a breathtaking view of the mightiest falls within the river. The spectacular Qiyan Waterfall lies in the middle of the route, flanked by the Xiling and Wu Gorges in its far upstream and downstream sections. These powerful waterfalls measure 18m in height and have been the focus of several films throughout the decades.
Decades ago, hydroelectricity plants were erected on the Yangtze River, further highlighting the power of its waterfalls. Strategically placed plants such as Fengdu, Shiyan and Shigu generate immense amounts of power, contributing immensely to the electricity supply of the country.
China holds a very close relationship with the Yangtze and has been a witness of its changes over the centuries. Dams and hydroelectricity plants have affected some of the falls in their regional areas and Chinese officials are now taking action to ensure that these structures will effectively protect both the mountain and the stream, in order to preserve the life along the river system.
In this current context of environmental awareness, the Yangtze River’s waterfalls remain a testament of the force of natural elements and scenery. From the powerful Qiyan Waterfall, to the dozens of smaller yet still remarkable waterfalls, the Yangtze will forever be a source of pride and charm for the Chinese people.
Flora and fauna
The multiple waterfalls of the Yangtze River are habitats for a wide variety of flora and fauna, some of which are often threatened and extremely uncommon. An array of natural species can be observed around the different waterfalls, ranging from rare birds and amphibians, to endemic plants and trees.
The abundance of species interacting within the same environment creates an ecosystem of tremendous importance to the area, despite its constant risk from human anthropic activity and deforestation. Scholars from all over the world dedicate their research to the study of these areas, trying to uncover the peculiarities of the Yangtze River’s waterfall.
Every Yangtze River waterfall is home to a wide range of interesting species that have adapted to the lush environment in one way or the other. Such is the case of the Dabian Golden Frog, a critically endangered species found only near the middle and upper pools of the river.
The mountains surrounding the Yangtze harbor unique vegetation, all adapted to live in sloped and balcony landscapes that induce an amazing visuals to anyone travelling down the river. This river-associated montane vegetation also houses many rare and endemic species, further increasing the importance of these waterfalls in the global view.
Impact on society
The waterfalls of the Yangtze have always captivated and intrigued travelers, scientists, artists and poets throughout the centuries, becoming large sources of inspiration for several forms of art and literature.
The local populations living close to the river created myths and stories on the waterfalls and handed them from generation to generation without any changes, as if trying to remember their importance as part of nature. These stories consist typically of pseudo-historical figures such as heroes and characters like the Red Hare and the Black Dragon whose mission is to protect the river from change and destruction.
The fall of the river has had a great influence in Chinese culture and its festivals take their names after either the river or its most famous waterfalls. There are several annual festivals that take place in some of China’s most famous waterfalls, many inviting travelers from all over the world to appreciate the Falls’ breathtaking visuals.
The close relationship between the Yangtze River and the Chinese culture is one of respect and admiration. Even though natural human activity sometimes affects its landscape, the river and its waterfalls have remained strong and resilient throughout the centuries, providing unique stories, exciting experiences and breathtaking views to anyone who decides to pay it a visit.
Future of Yangtze River Waterfalls
The future of the Yangtze River’s falls is placed under a constant debate between water conservation and water management experts. Some suggest that the waterfalls should be preserved in a way that guarantees sustainability, both in terms of delivering electricity and maintaining the ecological balance within the river.
Several projects have been set in motion in order to reach this balance between humanity and nature, as well as to protect the species living in the Yangtze. In recent decades, the Chinese government has started to promote a series of initiatives focusing on the introduction of efficient turbines, the limitation of pollution and its effects on the different waterfalls and wildlife, as well as the implementation of education schemes intended to promote water preservation amongst the local population.
The future of these waterfalls is no longer just an issue of stability and academics, but a playful yet meaningful message for humanity: to preserve our natural environment, a cause every government and citizen must join together in order to protect our planet for future generations.
The Yangtze has been a great friend of the Chinese people since ancient times, providing a very comfortable and effective way of navigating between the East and West of the country. Up until the 19th century, boats and vessels of all sizes were able to glide through the river with ease, with no need to climb up and down either the many waterfalls or its gorges.
However, the creation of several dams unraveled a much different scenario, involving much more risk and difficulty to the navigation. The general idea of creating the dams was to increase the superficial water level and access, and as such, safeguard nearby populations and provide a means of transportation. But as a consequence, boat navigation – both for leisure and commercial function – decreased significantly when traveling into the Yangtze, making it more and more challenging for travelers to fully explore the river.
The local and national governments took action and established better ways of navigation around the waterfalls, involving special routes, prevention plans, and even special boats designed to navigate through different levels of the river. With better access to the waterfalls, travelers and locals can now experience the different sights that the Yangtze provides.
The challenge now, however, is to ensure that development occurs with minimal impact on the environment, especially in terms of wildlife and vegetation, preserving the Waterfall’s characteristic ecosystem. New guidelines and regulations have been established in order to guarantee a steady and balanced way of navigating the river, while still making sure that its main features stay untouched.
Environmental Stewardship of the Yangtze
The growing awareness around the importance of the Yangtze River’s waterfalls has left room for a series of initiatives and projects which aim to promote the education of local populations and raise awareness of the challenges they might face in the future.
In order to address the continuous degradation of the Yangtze’s waterfalls and its surrounding environment, several education projects have been set up in recent years in an attempt to raise awareness of its importance and make people more aware of both their environment and its subsequent effects.
Chinese school curriculums are being altered in order to include environmental protection classes, as well as a strong emphasis in environmental awareness and its responsibilities. Additionally, several non-profit organizations have been created in order to promote the importance of conservation.
These projects are essential in order to preserve the Yangtze’s waterfalls; waterfalls that, due to its beauty and characteristics, have become the source of several stories, legends and myths. Thus, doing their part in helping the local population and promoting the conservation of natural resources, these projects are the fundamental stepping stones to guarantee the preservation of the Yangtze’s waterfalls.
Modernization of Tourism
Tourism plays a major role in the current economic context of the Yangtze River area. People from all over the world visit these places every year, just to get a glimpse of the mesmerizing views and sights provided by the river and its waterfalls.
The Chinese government has established a series of protocols to ensure better safety and access to the waterfalls and its national parks, and on the other side, protect the local wildlife and vegetation from sudden and unexpected accident. National and regional policies around tourism control the number of visitors entering national parks and gorges, in order to guarantee the protection of the environment and the preventive measures taken by both governments and private agents.
As of today, the Yangtze River is home to several camping and fishing sites, as well as tourist trips in order to maximize view-sharing. Campers and visitors of all ages are welcomed to experience the falls of the Yangtze in a much safer and modern way, combining the natural beauty of the waterfalls with the array of services (such as clinics and guard posts) that aid and protect travelers from potential dangers of the region.
The Yangtze River is, without a doubt, a stunning and vibrant example of the unity between nature and human activity, all tied together by the force and the beauty of its waterfalls.
