China’s river systems, from source to sea
The Yangtze, Yellow, Pearl, Lancang (Mekong), Yarlung Tsangpo, and Heilong (Amur) rivers carve out China’s geography. They power hydropower dams, rice paddies, cruises, and delta megacities.
6,300 km
Yangtze River (Changjiang)—third-longest globally.
5,464 km
Yellow River (Huanghe)—cradle of civilisation.
22.5 GW
Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze—world’s largest power station.
Meet the big five rivers
These rivers carry most of China’s fresh water, barges, and tourist boats. Use the quick notes below to pair each basin with the right city stops.
Yangtze River (Changjiang)
Source in Qinghai, flows east to Shanghai. Key cities: Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing, Shanghai.
Yellow River (Huanghe)
Loops across the north. Think Lanzhou, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng. Known for Hukou Waterfall and loess cliffs.
Lancang River (Upper Mekong)
Flows from the Tibetan Plateau through Lijiang and the Deqin/Shangri-La area, then into Southeast Asia as the Mekong.
Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)
World’s deepest canyon near Nyingchi, Tibet. Passes Mount Namcha Barwa before swinging into India.
Heilong (Amur) & Songhua
Northern border rivers near Harbin—ice festivals, wetlands, Russian influence.
| River | Length | Key cities | Travel highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yangtze | 6,300 km | Chongqing · Wuhan · Nanjing · Shanghai | Three Gorges cruises, Three Gorges Dam, riverfront skylines (Wuhan Hankou Bund, Shanghai Bund). |
| Yellow River | 5,464 km | Xining · Lanzhou · Zhengzhou · Kaifeng | Hukou Waterfall rafting, Loess Plateau cave dwellings, Yellow River Hukou scenic drive. |
| Pearl River | 2,400 km | Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Zhuhai · Macau | Pearl River night cruise, Humen Bridge, Macau bridge shuttles, Greater Bay Area ferries. |
| Lancang (Mekong headwaters) | 4,350 km in China | Lijiang · Shangri-La · Jinghong | Three Parallel Rivers UNESCO site, tea plantations, Xishuangbanna tropical river ports. |
| Yarlung Tsangpo | 2,900 km | Lhasa · Nyingchi | Grand Canyon scenic flights, Namcha Barwa viewpoint, peach blossom season in Nyingchi (April). |
| Heilong (Amur) | 2,824 km (shared) | Heihe · Harbin | Border boat trips, Siberian tiger parks, ice fishing and winter festivals. |
River experiences to try
Yangtze Three Gorges cruise
4–5 day cruises between Chongqing and the Three Gorges region (transfers near Yichang). Combine with Zhangjiajie or Wuhan.
Li River bamboo raft
Karst scenery between Guilin and Yangshuo. Sunrise photo cruises, cycling in the valley.
Pearl River night cruise
Guangzhou skyline, Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town. 1-hour loops with dinner options.
Yellow River wetland
Visit the Hukou Waterfall or the Yellow River estuary near Dongying, Shandong—bird sanctuaries and wetlands.
Locate the rivers and their key cities
Click markers for river stats, delta info, and base city guides.
Legend
- Major river hub
- Delta / cruise city
Frequently asked questions
Are China’s rivers safe for swimming?
Generally no in urban areas due to currents and water quality. Stick to organised rafting or scenic cruises.
Do I need tickets for river cruises?
Yes. Book Yangtze cruises weeks ahead, Pearl River night cruises a day in advance, and Li River bamboo rafts on site or via our mini-program tools.
Which river has the best scenery?
The Li River for karst, Yangtze Three Gorges for cliffs, and Yarlung Tsangpo for dramatic canyon views when flying into Nyingchi.
Plan your river journeys
Combine waterways with high-speed rail and flight networks for efficient itineraries.
- How big is China? — gauge river distances.
- Coastline guide — connect river deltas with port cities.
- City tier guide — match river hubs to marketing tiers.
- Chongqing city playbook — launch Yangtze cruises.