Yangtze River, the longest river across China from west to east, is known as the Mother River of the country together with the Yellow River. It originates in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, from drops of glacier to trickles, coming together into a rolling river and then flowing into the East China Sea after a long trip. The River stretches 6,300 km long. Its drainage area covers about 1/5 of China’s land and 1/3 of the country’s population. Over 50 ethnic groups live there.

Since 2004, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, China Federation of Literary & Art Circles and other concerned organizations, Zhangjiagang Municipal Government has successfully held Yangtze Culture & Art Festival eight times together with drama associations and folk culture societies from 12 provinces along the Yangtze River, including Qinghai, Tibet, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqin, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. Through the festival, we hope to encourage the joint protection, creation and enjoyment of the Yangtze Culture. With accumulated cultural contents, our city will be more competitive.

The Festival is usually in forms of Yangtze River Valley Drama Festival or Yangtze River Valley Folk Festival which is held by turns. During the period there are many other activities such as National calligraphy, painting and photography shows, art performances,seminars and etc., all with the theme of "Yangtze River" to expand the influence of the Festival.

The Festival integrates cultural resources of Yangtze River and provides a good cooperation platform to provinces along the River. The Festival attracts attention from all circles and has been praised widely. By holding the Festival, Zhangjiagang City has made great achievements on local culture undertakings.