weihe

The Weihe, or Wei River, is a major watercourse in north-central China and one of the principal tributaries of the Yellow River. In Chinese it is rendered as 渭河 (Weì Hé). The river drains much of the Guanzhong Plain in western Shaanxi Province, flowing generally north and passing through notable cities such as Baoji and Xi'an before joining the Yellow River. Its course helps define the region’s geography, culture, and agricultural economy.

The Weihe is roughly 800 kilometers long and drains a basin on the order of tens of thousands of square kilometers. Its watershed includes multiple tributaries, with the Jing and Luo rivers among the more significant feeders. The river’s flow is seasonal, contributing to the region’s irrigation networks that support crops on the Guanzhong Plain.

Historically, the Wei River valley is among China’s oldest continuous centers of civilization and settlement. The region has yielded important archaeological sites and ancient capitals, reflecting long-standing agricultural practices, early irrigation, and the development of centralized governance in northern China.

In modern times, the Weihe faces environmental and resource-management challenges. Industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural runoff have affected water quality and availability. Efforts to manage the river include pollution controls, water-supply projects, and ecological restoration programs aimed at sustaining agriculture, cities, and ecosystems that depend on the river.

Today the Weihe remains an essential waterway for northern China, with ongoing significance for irrigation, regional development, and cultural history.