The Bahe River is a tributary of the Wei River, itself a tributary of the Yellow River. Its ancient name was Zishui. It is 109 kilometers long and drains a basin of 2,581 square kilometers. It originates north of Majiapopo in Bayuan Town, Lantian County, on the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains. The river is formed by four headwaters: Qingyu, Liuyu, Tongyu, and Daogouyu. After they converge in Yushan Town, they are known as the Bahe River. It flows through Baqiao and Weiyang districts before joining the Wei River between the Weiyang and Baqiao districts of Xi’an. During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu of Qin continued to expand his territory. After establishing hegemony over the Western Rong, he renamed the river Bashui. Later, the water radical was added to the character Ba, giving it the name Bashui. Its main tributaries include the Wangyu and Chan rivers. The upper reaches of the Bahe have a steep riverbed gradient. During floods, the current runs swiftly, the riverbed shifts from side to side, and the channel twists and turns. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a relatively complete system of embankments was built.
Agriculture is well developed in the Bahe River basin, which has a long history of irrigation. Numerous water diversion projects have been built there, including the Wangba, Yuejin, Lanqiao, Puhui, Bahui, Tuanjie, and Lixin canals.
The Bahe River basin has a rich history and culture. The Banpo, Baqiao, and Laoniupo sites along its banks laid the foundation for the development of the Bahe cultural corridor. The site where the Lantian Man fossils were discovered is located in the upper reaches of the Bahe River.
Chinese name
Bahe River
Foreign name
Bahe River
Also known as
Ancient name: Zishui
River system
A tributary of the Wei River, which is a tributary of the Yellow River
Location
Southeastern Shaanxi Province
Areas traversed
Lantian County, Baqiao District, Weiyang District, and Gaoling District, Xi’an
Source
Majiapopo, Bayuan Town, Lantian County, Xi’an
Main tributary
Wangyu River
