La grande artère de la Chine: le Yangtseu

The book takes listeners on a sweeping tour of the great river that defines China’s heartland. Beginning with the source of the Yangtze high in the Tibetan mountains, it follows the water’s journey across ten provinces, describing each tributary, the surrounding landscapes and the seasonal challenges faced by those who travel its waters. Detailed yet accessible, the narrative explains how the river’s length—nearly five thousand kilometres—makes it the sole artery linking the western interior to the bustling eastern ports.

Beyond geography, the work explores the bustling steam‑ship traffic that transformed commerce in the nineteenth century, introducing the major foreign companies that ran regular services along the navigable stretch. Readers also learn about the climate, the agricultural bounty of the river’s floodplain, and even a thoughtful sketch of Chinese character and culture as seen from the banks. All of this is woven together with vivid illustrations and maps that bring the mighty waterway to life for modern ears.