China's Autumn Waters Map Is Here!

Along with the falling leaves and the lively creatures

"The sunset clouds fly with a solitary wild duck; The autumn river shares the same color with the vast sky."

(Please view horizontally, the intoxicating autumn scenery of Kanas Lake, image credit @ Visual China Group)

"When will the wild geese arrive? The rivers and lakes are filled with autumn water."

(Chishan Lake in Anhui, photographer @ Chen Jie)

"The so-called beauty is on the other side of the water."

(Morning autumn in Xianghai Wetland, Jilin, photographer @ Qiu Huining)

The Institute of Planetary Science refers to the division of China's river basins

and reorganizes and compiles this

to showcase 144 breathtaking autumn waters in China for you

(Map of China's autumn water basins, this map references China's basin division and merges some water systems based on autumn water landscapes and regional characteristics, for reference only, cartography @ Chen Zhihao/Institute of Planetary Science)

Including the Heilongjiang River, Liaohe River, and others

The abundant autumn vegetation and the chilly winds sweeping across the great rivers

We have selected 13 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, the autumn water map of the Songliao Basin, cartography @ Chen Zhihao/Institute of Planetary Science)

(Aerial view of Genhe River in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, photographer @ Jiao Xiaoxiang)

(Autumn scenery of Xiaoxing'an Mountains in Heilongjiang, image credit @ Visual China Group)

Producing large amounts of betacyanin and turning red

Presenting a unique red beach landscape

(Autumn scenery of Panjin Red Beach, photographer @ Zhou Xuguang)

The three great rivers: Haihe, Yellow River, and Huaihe

On the northern land shaped by them

We have selected 16 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, Autumn Water Map of the Yellow-Huai-Hai Basin, mapped by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

(Toufeng Gully in Bashang, photographer: Song Xinzi)

Entering one of the most turbulent moments of the year

(Aerial view of Hukou Waterfall, photographer: Li Shunwu)

In China's first marine World Heritage site

The Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) in Yancheng, Jiangsu

Composing the autumn melody like musical notes

(Yancheng coastal wetlands are a crucial stop on international migratory bird routes, photographer: Sun Huajin)

We have selected 18 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, Autumn Water Map of the Yangtze River Basin, mapped by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

Reflecting red leaves and layered forests in vibrant hues

(Three Gorges red leaves, photographer: Wang Zhengkun)

Autumn-colored forests and terraced travertine pools

(Five-Color Ponds of Huanglong in autumn, photographer: Yang Youli)

Nuorilang Waterfall surrounded by autumn scenery

(Please view horizontally, Nuorilang Waterfall in Jiuzhaigou during autumn, photographer: Tao Hong)

We have selected 17 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, Autumn Water Map of the Pearl River Basin-Southeast River Basins, Cartography by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

(Xiapu, Fujian, Fishermen Going to Sea in Autumn, Image Source@VCG)

The Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun, Guizhou, is at its peak flow

(Please view horizontally, Aerial View of Huangguoshu Waterfall in Autumn, Photographer@Tang Yin)

The continuous karst peaks of Puzhehei in Wenshan, Yunnan

(Puzhehei, Photographer@Li Wenbo)

It is the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean

It is also the only region in China with a Siberian flora and fauna ecosystem

Decorated by species such as spruce and birch

We have selected 9 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, Autumn Water Map of the Irtysh River Basin, Cartography by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

Golden forests and crystal-clear waters

(Autumn Scenery of Kanas Lake, Photographer@Wang Hanbing)

Fiery red Yardang landforms and dazzling golden forests

(The rocks on both sides of Wucai Beach have varying resistance to weathering and contain different minerals, creating this unique landscape, Photographer@Chen Xiaoyang)

We have selected 19 autumn water landscapes

(Please view horizontally, Autumn Water Map of the Southwest River Basins, Cartography by Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

Snow-capped mountains, colorful forests, rivers, and canyons

(Namcha Barwa stands at 7,782 meters, with a vertical drop of several thousand meters from its base, Image Source@VCG)

(Autumn Scenery of Hani Rice Terraces in Honghe Prefecture, Photographer@Li Wenbo)

(Nujiang Grand Canyon, photographer @ Shanfeng)

there exists a vast endorheic region

only hidden deep within the Eurasian continent

but this does not mean autumn waters lose their charm

in the endorheic regions of Gansu and Inner Mongolia

we selected 15 autumn water landscapes

painting a vibrant picture in autumn

(please view horizontally, Hexi Corridor-Inner Mongolia Plateau endorheic region autumn water map, cartography @ Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

in places like Jiuquan, Gansu, and Ejina, Inner Mongolia

(Jinta Poplar Forest in Jiuquan, Gansu, photographer @ Zhang Zirong)

converging into depressions in the Gobi, transforming into lakes

(Juyan Lake in Alxa, image source @ Visual China)

deep within the Badain Jaran Desert and Tengger Desert

salt-loving microorganisms create various colors

(Fallow Lake island in Tengger Desert, photographer @ Lin Yuxian)

as one of the world's large mountain systems farthest from the sea

most of the grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes, glaciers, etc.

we selected 19 autumn water landscapes

how to create lush vitality in Xinjiang

(please view horizontally, Xinjiang endorheic region autumn water map, cartography @ Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

(The shores of Sayram Lake are lush with water plants, making it an important local pastureland, photographer@Jiang Chenming)

(The winding grasslands of Bayinbuluke, photographer@Chen Xiaoyang)

(Autumn scenery in the Ili River Valley, photographer@Lai Yuning)

The towering Tibetan Plateau inland region is even more remote and uninhabited.

This is the most densely concentrated area of lakes in China.

Like a mirror, it reflects the myriad forms of heaven and earth.

We have selected 18 autumn water landscapes.

(Please view horizontally, autumn water map of the Tibetan Plateau inland region, cartographer@Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

The "Heavenly Lake" Namtso resembles a fairyland.

(The Holy Elephant Gate of Namtso, photographer@Li Heng)

We can still admire a stretch of autumn water.

(Black-necked cranes at Bangong Co, photographer@Wang Bingrui)

(Please view horizontally, Puma Yumco in Shannan, Tibet, photographer@Xing Yulin)

(Please view horizontally, autumn aerial view of Hulunbuir Grassland in Inner Mongolia, photographer@Jiao Xiaoxiang)

(Please view horizontally, autumn colors of Qinghai Lake, photographer@Shui Dongqing)

Autumn water embodies the essence of Chinese landscapes and the emotions of the Chinese people.

Editors: Quasimodo by the River, Director

Reviewers: Zhong Xiaomiao, Wang Sumiao, Wang Logic

[1]Shen Yongping. National 1:250,000 Third-Level River Basin Dataset. National Cryosphere Desert Data Center (www.ncdc.ac.cn), 2019.

[2]Gao Youxi. The Fine Autumn Weather of East Asia [J]. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 1958(02):83-92.

[3]Cui Haiyan, Ji Jing. Research Status of Suaeda salsa【J】. Tianjin Agricultural Sciences, 2009(05):13-16.

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