In Yangtze, players are distributors on the Yangtze River, each attempting to make the most money.

On a turn, a player takes two actions, first selling one or more bundles of goods, then possibly purchasing a commodity. Goods on the Yangtze become cheaper the further they drift towards Shanghai. Whoever can wait the longest gets a chance to buy goods at a bargain price — assuming another trader doesn't snatch up those goods first!

However, players don't need to rely solely on trade. They can also create business branches that give them advantages during play, in addition to the half-dozen special cards that each player holds at the start of play.