Pearl River
China's third-longest river system, flowing through Guangzhou.
via Wikipedia: Pearl River · see source
The Pearl River, known in Chinese as Zhūjiāng or Yuèjiāng, is a major river system in southern China. The name is often used broadly to refer to the entire network of waterways in Guangdong, particularly the Xi (west), Bei (north), and Dong (east) rivers, which all empty into the South China Sea via the Pearl River Delta. When measured from the farthest source of the Xi River, the combined Pearl–Xi–Xun–Qian–Hongshui–Nanpan system stretches 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles), making it China’s third-longest river system after the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, and the second-largest by water volume, again behind the Yangtze. Its basin covers 453,700 square kilometers (175,200 square miles), draining most of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces (collectively called Liangguang), along with parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi, as well as the northernmost areas of Vietnam’s Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn provinces. The river is especially known for flowing through Guangzhou.
The term “Pearl River” also applies to a specific, short branch within the delta—the widest distributary there. This branch begins just north of Guangzhou, where waters converge east of the Bei River. Its estuary, Bocca Tigris, is regularly dredged to keep it navigable for ocean vessels. The mouth forms a large bay in the delta’s southeast, called the Pearl River Estuary. Bocca Tigris separates Shiziyang to the north from Lingdingyang to the south, with Jiuzhouyang at the estuary’s southern tip, surrounded by the Wanshan Archipelago. This bay divides Macau and Zhuhai from Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The river’s name comes from pearl-colored shells found in its riverbed as it flows through Guangzhou. Near the Nansha Bridge, a 500 kV power line crosses the river, suspended from three of the world’s tallest pylons.
Settlements, crossings, and tributaries include the Bei, Dong, Beilingshui, Li, Xinfeng, Qiuxiang, Gongzhuangshui, Xizhi, Shimahe, Xi, Yu, Yong, Zuo, You, Xun, Qiang, Liu, Rong, Hongshui, Beipan, Nanpan, Ba, Gui, and Li rivers.
In culture, many brands take their name from the river. Zhujiang Brewery in Guangzhou is one of China’s three largest domestic breweries, and Pearl River Bridge is a well-known local food manufacturer.
- length
- 2,400 km (1,500 mi)
- basin_area
- 453,700 km² (175,200 mi²)
- drains
- Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, and parts of Vietnam
- major_tributaries
- Xi, Bei, Dong
- rank_by_length
- Third-longest in China
- rank_by_volume
- Second largest by volume in China
Lore & Background
The name "Pearl River" comes from the pearl-colored shells that lie within the Pearl's riverbed as it flows through the city of Guangzhou. In addition to referring to the system as a whole, the Pearl River name is applied to a specific branch within it. This Pearl River is the widest distributary within the delta, although notably short. The waters that converge east of the Bei are first referred to as the Pearl River just north of Guangzhou. The Pearl River's estuary, Bocca Tigris, is regularly dredged so as to keep it open for ocean vessels. The mouth of the Pearl River forms a large bay in the southeast of the delta, the Pearl River Estuary; the Bocca Tigris separates Shiziyang in the north, Lingdingyang in the south, and Jiuzhouyang at the southern tip of the estuary surrounded by the Wanshan Archipelago. This bay separates Macau and Zhuhai from Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Reader's Guide
The 453,700 km² (175,200 mi²) Pearl River Basin drains the majority of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces (collectively known as Liangguang), as well as parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan and Jiangxi. It also drains the northernmost parts of Vietnam's Northeast Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn provinces. The system's major tributaries include the Xi, Bei, and Dong. A 500 kV power line, suspended from three of the tallest pylons in the world, crosses the river near the Nansha Bridge. Numerous brands are named after the river: the Zhujiang Brewery in Guangzhou is one of the three largest domestic breweries in China, and Pearl River Bridge is a popular food manufacturer in the city.
Did You Know?
- Measured from the furthest reaches of the Xi River, the Pearl–Xi–Xun–Qian–Hongshui–Nanpan system spans 2,400 km (1,500 mi).
- The name "Pearl River" comes from pearl-colored shells that lie within the riverbed as it flows through Guangzhou.
- A 500 kV power line, suspended from three of the tallest pylons in the world, crosses the river near the Nansha Bridge.
- The Pearl River's estuary, Bocca Tigris, is regularly dredged to keep it open for ocean vessels.
- The Zhujiang Brewery in Guangzhou, named after the river, is one of the three largest domestic breweries in China.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pearl River?
The Pearl River is a large river system in southern China that functions as a collective name for the combined watersheds flowing through Guangdong province. It is not a single channel but rather an integrated network of tributaries and their basins.
How long is the Pearl River and where does it flow?
Spanning about 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles), it holds the title of China's third-longest river system. Its waters travel through Guangzhou and discharge into the South China Sea via the Pearl River Delta.
What are the major tributaries of the Pearl River?
The three principal feeder rivers are the Xi, the Bei, and the Dong. These tributaries form the backbone of the drainage network that gives the Pearl River its name and volume.
Why is the Pearl River considered important?
It ranks as China's second-largest river by discharge volume and supports a basin of roughly 453,700 square kilometers. Its waters touch seven Chinese provinces and even parts of Vietnam, making it a critical geographic and economic artery.
Where does the Pearl River ultimately drain?
The system empties into the South China Sea through the delta region near Guangzhou. Its drainage area stretches across Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, and sections of Vietnam.
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