Yangtze Collection

Rising Moon over Mount Nanping Date: 1885

Caiyuanba Bridge at Blue Hour
Mei Xu

Yangtze River, China in 1987 before the Three Gorges Dam
Color satellite image of the Yangtze River in 1987 before the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in the Hubei province in central China

The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China in 2022
Color satellite image of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in 2022. The dam is located in the Hubei province in central China

Yangtze River, China in 1987 and 2022, Before and After the Three Gorges Dam
Color satellite image of the Yangtze River in 1987 and 2022, before and after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. The dam is located in the Hubei province in central China

Chongqing, China cityscape at the Jialing River and Qianximen Bridge

Chongqing, China downtown city skyline over the Yangtze River just before sunset

Chongqing, China skyline on the Jialing River at dusk

Chongqing, China Financial District cityscape in the day

Yangtze River, Chinkiang, China

Chinkiang China - early 1900s

Yangtze River showing Hankou from Wuhan, China

Hankow and the Yangtze River from Wuchan, China - early 1900s

DDE-90024232
CHINA, Chongqing Province, Chongqing City. Yangzi Riverboat Port Area from Yikeshu Viewing Platform / Dusk. Date: 04/11/2005

The Boxer Rebellion: refugees from the Chungking missions taking shelter from Boxers in river boats on the Yangtze
6015079 The Boxer Rebellion: refugees from the Chungking missions taking shelter from Boxers in river boats on the Yangtze, China (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Source of the Yangtze in Tibet (chromolitho)
2782745 Source of the Yangtze in Tibet (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Source of the Yangtze in Tibet)

Boats Yangtze, Kiuking, (Jiujiang), China, c. 1890
Boats along the Yangtze, Kiuking, (Jiujiang), China, c.1890

Photogravure, Donald Mennie, The Grandeur of the Gorges
Photogravure from a photograph by Donald Mennie, from his book The Grandeur of the Gorges, published in China in 1926. He took the pictures during two trips on the upper Yangtze River in China

1920s China - boat in a Yangtze river gorge by Donald Mennie

c. 1920 China - Yangtze River - Bridge at Wan Hsien
c.1920 China - Yangtze River - Bridge at Wan Hsien by Donald Mennie from the Grandeur of the Gorges

Boat being pulled up rapid by hand, Yangtze River, China
Boat being pulled up a rapid by hand on the Yangtze River, China, c.1920 s

View of the Tchin Shan, or Golden Island, in the Yang-tse Kiang, or Great River of China
STC89968 View of the Tchin Shan, or Golden Island, in the Yang-tse Kiang, or Great River of China, engraved by Wilson, pub. by G

Views of the Yangtze region, China, 1900 (b / w photo)
6015087 Views of the Yangtze region, China, 1900 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Views of the Yangtze region, China, 1900)

Bridge over the Yangtse River (engraving)
STC85998 Bridge over the Yangtse River (engraving) by Dutch School, (18th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Dutch, out of copyright

Sketches of China (litho)
1591892 Sketches of China (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of China. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 12 September 1891)

China, Ravine of the Yang-tsze-kiang (b / w photo)
6019075 China, Ravine of the Yang-tsze-kiang (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: China, Ravine of the Yang-tsze-kiang)

China, Hubei, Yangtze Traditional fishing boat on the Yangtze River

China, Hubei, Yangtze Barge carrying sulphur on the Yangtze River east of Wuhan

China, Hubei, Yangtze A man fishing on the lower embankment. Two lined embankments protect this village east of Wuhan from annual flooding of the Yangtze River

China, Chongqing, Yangtze Rich farmland on the banks of the Yangtze River near the Qutang Gorge

Communist China - swimmers in Yangtze River
Swimmers (soldiers and civilians) in the water of the Yangtze River (Changjiang) in Communist China in July 1970. They are taking part in a training exercise

Zhenfeng Pagoda, Anqing, Anhui Province, China
Pagoda located inside Yingjiang Temple on the banks of the Yangtze River in Anqing, Anhui Province, Peoples Republic of China. Zhenfeng Pagoda was constructed in 1570 in the Ming Dynasty

Yangtze River - Qutang Gorge - Wind Box Gorge
View of the Qutang Gorge along the Yangtze River from Baidicheng. (also known by early Western travellers as the Wind Box Gorge) Date: circa 1910s

Pagoda overlooking the wide span of the Yangtze River, China Date: circa 1903

Junie, largest houseboat on Upper Yangtze River, China
Junie, claimed to be the largest houseboat on the Upper Yangtze River, China. Date: circa 1905

View of Hangchow (Hangzhou) harbour, China
A view of Hangchow (Hangzhou) harbour or bay, in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. Date: circa 1840

HMS Suffolk with destroyer and gunboat, Nanking, China
HMS Suffolk (55), British County class heavy cruiser, with destroyer D07 and a gunboat on the south bank of the Yangtze River at Nanking (Nanjing), China. Date: circa 1929

Chongqing poor district
Stilted houses on the banks of the River Yangtze in Chongqing (Chungking), one of the poorer parts of a city that would see much suffering during the Sino-Japanese War Date: 1936

U. S. Gunboat Panay abandoned
Crew members of the U, S.Gunboat Panay abandon ship. The gunboat had been bombed by Japanese aircraft while anchored in the Yangtze River, outside Nanking, China even though Japan and the U.S.A

Japanese advance on Hankow
Japanese troops land following a crossing of the River Yangtze during their advance on the city of Hankow (Hankou) in 1938

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The Yangtze River, also known as the Chang Jiang, has witnessed countless moments of historical significance and natural beauty throughout its vast expanse. In 1885, a rising moon cast an ethereal glow over Mount Nanping, creating a breathtaking scene that captivated all who beheld it. In 1931, the river's power was demonstrated during the flooded market in Chinkiang, China. The surging waters transformed the bustling marketplace into a surreal landscape of chaos and resilience. Traveling back to the early 1900s in Chinkiang China reveals a glimpse of daily life along the Yangtze River. People went about their routines against a backdrop of picturesque scenery and traditional architecture. Moving downstream to Wuhan showcases another perspective on this majestic waterway. From Hankou's vantage point across from Wuhan, one could witness the vibrant cityscape harmoniously coexisting with nature's grandeur. Even amidst political turmoil like Communist China in years past, swimmers found solace in the cool embrace of the Yangtze River's currents. Their defiance against adversity symbolized resilience and freedom. During times of conflict such as The Boxer Rebellion, refugees sought refuge on river boats along the Yangtze River. These vessels became sanctuaries for those fleeing danger while highlighting humanity's capacity for compassion even amidst chaos. Venturing further upstream brings us to Tibet—the source of this mighty river—where its journey begins amid stunning landscapes captured beautifully through chromolithography. Journeying back downstream again takes us to Kiuking (Jiujiang), where boats gracefully navigate these ancient waters around 1890—a testament to human ingenuity blending seamlessly with nature’s wonders. Lastly, Donald Mennie’s photogravure series titled "The Grandeur of Gorges" captures awe-inspiring scenes along this magnificent river system—showcasing its sheer scale and untamed beauty that has fascinated explorers and adventurers for centuries.