The Huanghe, commonly known as the Yellow River, is a major river located in China. It ranks as the second-longest river in the country and is considered the sixth-longest river system on Earth, spanning an estimated length of 5,464 km (3,395 mi). The river possesses a drainage basin covering approximately 795,000 km2 (307,000 sq mi).
The river originates in the Bayan Har Mountains and flows eastward before entering the Ordos Loop, which traverses the Ordos Plateau in Gansu and Inner Mongolia. It subsequently turns south to form a border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, joins with the Wei River, and crosses the North China Plain before discharging into the Bohai Sea. The river is characterized by its distinct yellow color, which results from significant sediment discharge as it flows through the Loess Plateau.