The Yangtze Valley and beyond : an account of journeys in China, chiefly in…
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"The Yangtze Valley and beyond" by Isabella L. Bird is a travel narrative and geographical-ethnographic account written in the late 19th century. It follows the author’s journeys along the Yangtze River and into Sze Chuan, blending vivid travel observation with geography, commerce, and social life, and touching on missions and frontier peoples beyond the river’s upper reaches. Expect detailed notes on navigation, cities, and customs, alongside informed reflections on China’s administration and
the “open door” debate. The opening of the book sets out Bird’s purpose and method—journal letters, photographs, and careful cross-checking—then maps the Yangtze basin’s vast reach, tributaries, seasonal rises, rapids, canals, and delta, highlighting the river’s commercial lifelines and the centrality of Sze Chuan. She sketches the Chinese population’s organisation, character, and beliefs, arguing for strengthening China’s central government and keeping trade routes open. The narrative then turns to Shanghai as “the Model Settlement,” describing its teeming river traffic, cosmopolitan bund, exemplary municipal services, intense social life, missions, and the sharp contrast with the crowded, narrow, and malodorous native city. Next comes the tow-boat journey to Hangchow via the Grand Canal (with family life observed on a neighboring boat, great stone bridges, and the ingenious “pah” haulover), followed by a portrait of Hangchow’s silk-driven prosperity, famous Western Lake, temples, libraries, and welcoming mood toward foreigners. Finally, Bird details the Hangchow medical mission hospitals—their modern facilities, training school, respected Chinese staff, drug store, opium refuge, and steady influence on public goodwill—closing with candid notes on suicide, opium, and the challenges of treating out-patients. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy), 1831-1904 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Yangtze Valley and beyond : an account of journeys in China, chiefly in the province of Sze Chuan and among the Man-tze of the Somo territory |
| Original Publication | London: J. Murray, 1899. |
| Credits | Richard Tonsing, Peter Becker, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia |
| Subject | China -- Description and travel |
| Subject | Yangtze River (China) -- Description and travel |
| Subject | Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy), 1831-1904 -- Travel -- China |
| Subject | Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy), 1831-1904 -- Travel -- China -- Yangtze River Valley |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 77853 |
| Release Date | Feb 4, 2026 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1121 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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