The Yangtze River flows through China for nearly 4,000 miles. Before the Shennong Stream empties into the Yangtze near the Wu Gorge, it zigzags from atop the Shennong Jia peak through narrow passages, lush vegetation, spectacular canyons, waterfalls and rocky shores. The peasants that navigate these treacherous waters are called Tujia. They expertly steer their sampans (called peapod boats) using primitive, long paddles or, when stuck in the shallows, they drag the boat by rope. This Tujia man was taking a break for a smoke on his opium pipe.