In ancient times Yichang was known as Yiling. There are historical records telling that in the year 278 BCE during the Warring States period, the Qin general Bai Qi set fire to Yiling. In 222 CE Yichang was also the site of the Battle of Yiling during the Three Kingdoms Period. Under the Qing Guangxu Emperor, Yichang was opened to foreign trade as a trading port after Qing and Great Britain signed Chefoo Convention, which was signed by Sir Thomas Wade and Li Hongzhang in Chefoo on 21 August 1876. The Three Gorges or Yangtze Gorges span from the westernupriver cities of Fengjie and Yichang in Chongqing Municipality eastwarddownstream to Hubei province. The Yangtze River (Chang Jiang)Three Gorges region has a total length of approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi). The Three Gorges occupy approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi) within this region. The Chang Jiang (Yangzi River) is the longest river in China and third longest in the world. Known upstream as the Golden Sand River, it flows through the geographical, spiritual and historical heart of China.