As people in China turned to farming, they began to settle mostly on the North China Plain in Inner China. They grew crops and lived in villages near the Huang He. This marked the start of settled Chinese society. The Chang Jiang Basins were wet and fertile, but heavy rains may have made farming difficult.

Yellow River Valley

Early Chinese farmers built small villages along the Yellow River. The rich yellow colored soil was good for growing a grain called millet. The farmers of this area also raised sheep and cattle. The Yangtze River is south of the Yellow River and flows in the same direction (west to east).

The ancient Chinese people adapted to the environment by using the natural resources it provided. The ancient Chinese settled along the Huang He River, also known in English as the Yellow River. The ancient Chinese used the Huang He River to fish, farm, and irrigate the land.

The Yellow River is the most important water resource for the dry north of China, playing an irreplaceable role in economic development, and agriculture. Since 1960 over 14 dams have been constructed on the river for hydroelectric power, which is vital to northern China’s infrastructure.

The mighty Yellow River has earned the name “China’s sorrow” for its tendency to flood, with devastating consequences, over the centuries.

Famous rivers in China include the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Heilongjiang River, the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Huaihe River. The Tarim River in Xinjiang is the largest inland river in China.

5,000 rivers