Yangtze River cruises are perhaps the best way to see China. A tour of this sprawling river necessarily displays the country's finest resources, and affords a view of remarkably varied regions. Any first-time traveler should consider these tours as an invaluable and memorable introduction to China.

The Yangtze River is famous the world over, both for its extensive reach and its historical importance. The river cuts across China from east to west and more or less splits the country in half. Notably, it stretches nearly 4,000 miles, making it the world's third largest river.

See the China with Yangtze River Cruises
This length allows visitors to see a diverse stretch of the country, from rural plains to steep, soaring mountain ranges. Indeed, it is possible to see most of the major provinces of China while traveling on Yangtze River cruises. Tibet, Hunan, and Shanghai are all popular ports for those on river tours.

The river is typically divided into three main regions, aptly labeled upper, middle, and lower. Travelers can choose Yangtze River cruises that focus on one specific region, or opt for extended tours of multiple provinces. Either way, a river tour is integral to a trip to China.