The Tongtian River (, ) or Zhi Qu (Tibetan) is a long river in Qinghai Province in western China. It begins at the confluence of the Ulan Moron and Dangqu rivers, before flowing southeast and meeting the Jinsha River near the border of Qinghai and Sichuan. It is part of the Yangtze River drainage basin.
Name The Chinese name comes from a fabled river in the classic novel Journey to the West. In antiquity, it was called the Yak River. In Mongolian, this section is known as the Murui-ussu (, lit. "Winding Water")Ravenstein, Ernest & al. (ed.). The Earth and Its Inhabitants, Vol. VII: "East Asia: Chinese Empire, Corea, and Japan," p. 199 . D. Appleton & Co. (New York), 1884. Retrieved August 14, 2013. and is sometimes confused with the nearby Baishui.Yule, Henry. The River of Golden Sand: The Narrative of a Journey Through China and Eastern Tibet to Burmah, Vol. 1, p. 35 . "Introductory Essay." 1880. Reprint: Cambridge University Press, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
Geography The three principal headwaters—the Chumaer, Muluwusu, and Akedamu rivers—join to form the Tongtian River, which flows southeast to Zhimenda near the frontier between Qinghai and Sichuan provinces, where it becomes the Jinsha River (Jinsha Jiang). The Jinsha River is a primary tributary of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang).
The Tongtian River is one of the five large rivers flowing from headwaters on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its length is 1,012 kilometres, draining an area of 138,000 square kilometres. Pilgrims go to the river because it is mythical, but also it is known for its "sutra bridge" and "Gyiana Mani stones".
Dams The Tongtian is planned for heavy development, primarily for hydroelectric power. As of March 2014 a total of 10 dams are planned for the river. Those dams are listed below from downstream to upstream. Sewu Dam – Planned, 176.8 MW Xirong Dam – Planned, 160.5 MW Cefang Dam – Planned, 158 MW Genzhe Dam – Planned, 612 MW Leyi Dam – Planned, 112.8 MW Dequkou Dam – Planned, 276.5 MW Ruoqin Dam – Planned, 200 MW Lumari Dam – Planned, 72 MW Yage Dam – Planned, 63.6 MW Marigei Dam – Planned, 10.4 MW
See also Index: Tributaries of the Yangtze River List of rivers in China
References
External links A Visit to Gyigu by the Tongtian River Photo of bridge over the Tongtain River