China is a vast territory which is net of rich rivers and waters. The Yangtze and the Yellow River are two of the world's ten longest rivers. These two rivers, as well as eight others in China, are worth visiting during your visit to China, where the scenery is stunning and the culture is diverse.
The Yangtze River
Chang Jiang, which means "Long River" in Chinese, is the Chinese term for the Yangtze River. It is China's longest river and the world's third-longest river. The premier sightseeing river of China passes across nine provinces and into the East China Sea, passing through mountain gorges with excellent scenery and rugged hiking to the horizon-spanning cityscape of Shanghai.
Chongqing, Yichang, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shanghai are the major cities.
The Yangtze River hurtles through Tiger Leaping Gorge, making it one of the world's deepest canyons and one of China's best hiking areas. There is a good hiking path high above the Yangtze River that will take you away from the river's throbbing roar, and there are inexpensive lodgings along the way. Other deep canyons, such as the Grand Canyon, lack the affordable hotels and restaurants that this one does. It is a natural preservation site designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Three Gorges are among the Yangtze River's most spectacular scenic areas. Unlike ancient sites such as Fengdu Ghost City and the enigmatic hanging coffins, the Three Gorges Dam is a modern marvel with a world record for electrical generation power. The dam also serves as a source of irrigation and flood control, as well as rendering the Three Gorges peacefully navigable for Yangtze cruises.
The Yellow River
The Cradle of Chinese Civilization is thought to be this river basin. China's mother river has brought both prosperity and havoc to the country over centuries due to massive floods. The river has dried up to a trickle in comparison to the Yangtze, but it is still lined with ancient sites and settlements. Lanzhou is where the Silk Road crosses it.
Yan'an, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, and Kaifeng are all historic towns.
With a length of 5,464 kilometres, the Yellow River is China's second longest river. It rises on the Tibetan Plateau, flows through the Zhongwei, Yinchuan, and Ordos deserts and grasslands, and empties into the Bohai Sea. The lower reaches of the Yellow River have become "the suspended river," flowing above its flood plain in silty levees due to soil erosion and siltation.
The Li River
Guilin's landscape is defined by the Li River. It runs through the neighborhood, which is surrounded by lush limestone hills in a variety of shapes. You'll feel like you're in a Chinese landscape painting if you take a bamboo raft ride on the Li River. On a Guilin tour, the Li River is a must-see.
Boat cruising: The scenery seen on a river cruise is breathtaking. Few areas on the planet have such craggy hills that can be easily seen when taking a relaxing boat ride. It's been named one of the top 15 rivers to visit in the world.
Rafting on the Li River or its tributaries in Yangshuo is also a pleasant activity.
Hiking: Hiking along the Li River is an amazing way for outdoor enthusiasts to get a much closer view to nature and local life. Yangdi to Xingping is the most common road, which takes around 5 hours.
Xin'an River
The Xin'an River, which originates in Xiuning County, Huangshan Prefecture, Anhui Province, and runs for over 373 kilometres, is the main source and upper reaches of the Qiantang River.
The Xin'an River is known for its crystal clear water, which is visible in all seasons. The winding river is surrounded by green mountains. Through their poetry, many ancient poets admired it. "Cool and refreshing universe" and "the way of Tang poetry" have been used to describe it.
Hiking along the Xin'an River is another exclusive way for visitors to take in the breathtaking natural scenery of the countryside.
The Yulong River
The Yulong River is a 35-kilometer-long tributary of the Li River that is narrow and shallow. It stretches from Lingui County's mountains to Yangshuo's tourist zone.
Since it captures the nature of the Li River landscape in miniature, the Yulong River is also known as the "Little Li River." Green hills, silky water, fertile fields, and ancient bridges make it a good place to be close to nature.
The Pearl River
Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau are the major Pearl River Delta cities.
This river begins in Guangxi Province and stretches out as it enters the sea, covering a vast delta region that includes some of China's largest and wealthiest cities. This city, which is now one of the world's major industrial and financial centers, could be called China's electronics heartland. Tourists will find a plethora of attractions. This heavily populated urban area is crisscrossed by canals, and in Guangzhou, you can take a Pearl River night cruise to see the city lit up colorfully.
The Lancang/Mekong River and the Nujiang/Salween
The main rivers of mountainous western and tropical southern Yunnan Province, the Lancang and Nujiang, flow parallel off the Tibetan plateau.
The Lancang River is a tropical river that flows through rural country and natural scenic attractions. The resort area of Xishuangbanna is a tropical rain forest. In Vietnam, the Lancang River is also known as the Mekong River, and it is still a thriving freshwater fish ecosystem.
Outside of China, the Nujiang is known as the Salween River. It passes through Yunnan Province before heading to Thailand and Burma. It forms on glaciers near the Yangtze and Mekong rivers' headwaters in Tibet.
The Tarim River
The Tarim River is Xinjiang's main river. It culminates in a salt lake that is frequently dry. It receives a number of small rivers and tributaries from all over the vast area, from Kashgar to the eastern borders. It was an important water source for Silk Road traders in the past, and it remains so today.
