On the Yangtze River

The black and white photograph depicts a river landscape featuring boats and houses. It was likely taken during Count Karl's travels through China, and it is probable that the Yangtze River is visible in the scene.

Rivers like the Yangtze River and canals such as the Imperial Canal played a crucial role in China's transportation infrastructure around 1900. Traditional Chinese boats, including junks and sampans, were commonly used to transport goods such as porcelain and salt along these waterways. However, the Yangtze Kiang was regarded as a perilous river, notorious for its many reefs and rapids, which posed significant challenges to navigation.

During his journeys on China's longest river, Count Karl heard many tales of disasters from Chinese boatmen. In his autobiography, he recounts his travels on the Yangtze with profound respect, highlighting both the beauty and the perils of navigating this formidable waterway.