1930s China through American eyes

Witches' mountain and the Yangtze River

For the first 1,000 miles of its course from its outlets up to Ichang (modern day Yichang), the Yangtze River is navigable by large steamers. Above that point navigation is impossible for any but light native boats or specially constructed foreign vessels. Between Ichang and Kweichow (Guizhou) rapids occur frequently in the deep gorges through which the river cuts its way. These rapids make navigation difficult.

Above Kweichow several tributaries empty into the Yangtze from the north, the most important of which is the Min-kiang coming out of the low table-land of the province of Szechwan (Sichuan). Of the lower tributaries the most remarkable is the Han, which joins the Yangtze at Hankow (Hankou). The Han is navigable to steamers for three hundred miles. In some places the elevation of the plain above the low water mark is only one foot, while in summer the river rises about 26 feet above the low water level. To protect themselves from floods, the natives have built dikes along the river, about fifty to one hundred feet from the natural banks.

Our view shows a gorge on the Yangtze where the river flows by a peak known as the Witches' Mountain. The scenery here is imposing, but the river is swift and not easy to navigate. Our view shows some of the types of native craft seen on the upper waters of the great Yangtze River.

[Photo provided to China Daily/Keystone View Company]