China witnessed the total solar eclipse on Wednesday morning. Many eclipse-watchers gathered in cities and regions along the Yangtze River to see the spectacle.

The moon passes between the sun and the earth during a total solar eclipse in southwest China's Chongqing municipality, July 22, 2009. [Xinhua]

This could be an once-in-a-life-time moment for many Chinese.

At 9:15 a.m. Beijing time, the total solar eclipse could be seen in places along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

The moon's shadow blocked out the sun, leaving only the solar corona visible and plunging cities and regions on the solar eclipse's path in China into darkness.

The process lasted for about four minutes, making it the longest-lasting solar eclipse in the country that scientists say won't be surpassed in duration until the year 2309.

The weather wasn't favorable but it didn't dampen people's enthusiasm.

Millions of eclipse-watchers lined the banks of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers early Wednesday to see the spectacle.