Yellow River (Huang He)

Yellow River (Huang He), China’s "Mother River" and second-longest (5,464 km), is both a cradle of civilization and a historical tempest. From the Tibetan Plateau, it carves through loess plains, depositing fertile silt but also causing catastrophic floods (e.g., 1887’s million deaths). Revered in dynastic culture yet nicknamed "China’s Sorrow," its waters now face overuse and pollution. The Sanmenxia Dam and soil conservation projects aim to tame its fury. A symbol of resilience, the Yellow River remains vital to agriculture and identity in northern China.