Ichang

Ichang, a walled town in the Chinese province of Hu-pei, stands on the Yang-tse-kiang, where it escapes from the limestone gorges and ravines of its middle course, and 1000 miles from Shanghai at its mouth. In 1877 it was declared open to foreign trade, but in consequence of the difficulties connected with the navigation of the river, the competition of the Chinese, and the jealousy of the Chinese officials it advanced but slowly. Nevertheless, the net value of the trade notified to the foreign customs-office increased from £21,304 in 1878 to nearly £2,300,000. The imports are chiefly shirtings, lastings, cloth, and silver in ingots, and the exports silk, white wax, drugs, musk, tin, and silver in ingots. The imports from Great Britain constitute about half of the total imports. Ichang is connected with Hankow by telegraph, and so with the outer world. Pop. 35,000. See Little, Through the Yang-tse Gorges (1888).