Tongtian River

Tongtian River- Introduction

The Tongtian River is the upper section of the Yangtze River. It starts from the Nangjibalong, converging with the Tuotuo River, and ends at the estuary of Batang River, converging with Jinsha River. It traverses the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

The altitude of the Tongtian River is about 3000 meters to 4000 meters. The upper section is with wide river valley, wide and shallow river channel. The both banks of the Tongtian River are relatively gentle massifs. After Qumar River, the mountains on the both sides gradually close to the river bank. The mountain on left bank is famous Bayan Har Mountains. The down section of the Tongtian River is with straight river course and stable river channel. But the current is turbulent, and the mountains on the both banks become higher. The Tongtian River becomes typical valley river.

There are Ranchi Stream, Beimi River, Qumar River, Sewu Stream, De Stream, and other tributaries on the left bank of Tongtian River, and Mo Stream, Yage Stream, Keqian Stream, Nieqia Stream, Dengailong Stream and Ye Stream and other tributaries on right bank. Based on observation and record, the average flow rate at the downstream of Tongtain River is about 385 cubic meters per second, and the annual flow rate is 12.2 billion cubic meters.

The Tongtian River is located in the alpine climate zone. Except the east border of plateau, most areas are with strong wind, low temperature, and thin air. The average temperature in several years is below zero. In the down stream valley area, the climate is gentle and humid.

The natural geographical environment of the both banks of Tongtian River is complicated. Hence, there are pastures in various types. It is one of the important cattle-producing areas on upstream of the Yangtze River.

Tongtian River – Sight Spot

Natural Reserve of the Three Rivers' Head Source

The Tongtian River is the source of Yangtze River. There is famous Natural Reserve of the Three Rivers' Head Source. The Natural Reserve of the Three River's Head Source is with distinctive and typical high altitude ecological system. The vegetation in the natural reserve includes aciculiailvae, broad-leaved forest, needle and broad-leaved mixed forest, bush fallow, pelouse, grassland, marsh, as well as hydrovegetation, cushion vegetation, sparse vegetation and other types. The wild animals there include 85 kinds of animals, 237 kinds of birds and 48 kinds of amphibia and reptilian. There are 69 kinds of animals under national protection, including the Tibetan antelope, wild yak, snow leopard, bharal, goa and so on.