The Longest Rivers in China

The longest rivers in China play a crucial role in the country’s geography, culture, and economy. Here are the top five longest rivers in China:

  1. Yangtze River (长江):
    • Length: Approximately 6,300 kilometers (3,917 miles).
    • Known as the “Long River,” the Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third-longest in the world.
    • It flows from the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau through central China, eventually emptying into the East China Sea near Shanghai.
    • The Yangtze River Basin is one of China’s most densely populated and economically significant regions.
  2. Yellow River (黄河):
    • Length: Approximately 5,464 kilometers (3,395 miles).
    • Known as the “Mother River of China,” the Yellow River is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world.
    • Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, it flows through nine provinces and autonomous regions in northern China before emptying into the Bohai Sea.
    • Historically, the Yellow River has been prone to flooding, earning it the nickname “China’s Sorrow.”
  3. Yarlung Tsangpo River (雅鲁藏布江):
    • Length: Approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles).
    • Also known as the Brahmaputra River in India and Bangladesh, the Yarlung Tsangpo is the third-longest river in China.
    • Originating in Tibet, it flows eastward through the Himalayas before turning south and crossing into India.
    • The Yarlung Tsangpo is renowned for its deep gorges, including the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, one of the world’s deepest.
  4. Mekong River (湄公河):
    • Length: Approximately 4,350 kilometers (2,703 miles) within China.
    • Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the Mekong River flows through six countries, including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
    • In China, the Mekong is known as the Lancang River. It forms part of the border between China and Myanmar before continuing southward through Southeast Asia.
  5. Pearl River (珠江):
    • Length: Approximately 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles).
    • The Pearl River is the third-longest river system in China, consisting of several tributaries, including the West, North, and East Rivers.
    • Originating in the mountains of Guangdong Province, the Pearl River flows through the Pearl River Delta region, one of China’s most economically vibrant areas, before emptying into the South China Sea.

These rivers not only sustain millions of people and diverse ecosystems but also serve as vital transportation routes and sources of hydropower for China’s growing economy.