Known as the drichu (Tibetan), chang jiang (Chinese), or jinsha jiang (Chinese for the upper Yangtse), the Yangtse rises in the Tanggula mountain range in Amdo at around 5000 metres, and flows for 6,300km to China's east coast near Shanghai. Except that these days, the river may fail to reach the sea.
Large dams on upper reaches
Where to start on the Yangtse? There are so many large dams under construction or on the drawing board that you have to wonder how anything—or anybody—will survive along this river. Here's a shortlist of large dams slated to be built on the upper reaches of the Yangtse, on or near the Tibetan plateau: Hutiaoxia, 216 metres in wall height; Liangjiaren, 100m; Liyuan 155m; Ahai, 139m; Jinganqiao, 156m; Longkaikou, 113m, Ludila, 120m; and Guanyingyan, 183m wall height. You can see some of these dams marked on the Three Parallel Rivers map below.
Read more about gargantuan Xiluodu Dam on the central reaches of the Yangtse »
 Ahai Dam, Yangtse, Yunnan, wall height 139m Photo courtesy of internationalrivers.org |
 construction at Ahai Dam, upper Yangtse river Photo courtesy of internationalrivers.org |
 Map of Three Parallel Rivers (click to enlarge) |