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- 7.7
Ra
- 2–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1999
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- BGG #9,544
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Yangtze
2016
Rules assistance for Yangtze
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 60 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.1/5
Rules assistant for Yangtze
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Yangtze is a board game released in 2016 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Reiner Knizia and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Auction / Bidding.
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About the game
In Yangtze, players are distributors on the Yangtze River, with each trying to make the most money there. On a turn, a player can take two actions, first selling one or more bundles of goods, then possibly purchasing a commodity. Goods on the Yangtze become cheaper and cheaper the further that they drift towards Shanghai. Whoever can wait a long time gets a chance to buy goods at a bargain price — assuming that another trader doesn't snatch those goods away first! Players don't need to rely solely on trade, however. They can also establish business branches that give them advantages during play, in addition to the half-dozen special cards that every player holds at the start of play.
Editions
- 忘川桥YaoPlay, 游隙时光2024
- YangtzefrPiatnik2016
Questions and answers
Yangtze supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Yangtze is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Yangtze for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Yangtze has a complexity rating of 2.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
The main mechanics of Yangtze are Set Collection and Auction / Bidding. Mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns, such as rolling dice, drafting cards or placing workers. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you enjoyed Yangtze and want something comparable.
The credited designers of Yangtze are: Reiner Knizia. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Yangtze as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.