Wei River Valley
Quick Summary
The Wei River valley, located in China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, was the cradle of early Chinese civilization. This region served as the site for numerous capital cities until the 10th century AD. The valley is characterized by its proximity to the Qin Mountains and is divided into three main areas: a western plateau, the dissected Loess Plateau, and the river's lower floodplain. Historically, ambitious irrigation systems, such as the Baigong and Chenggong canals built in the 3rd century BC, were developed here to support agriculture and the capital cities. Despite its historical significance and irrigation efforts, the Wei River itself has always carried a heavy silt load, limiting its use as a major waterway.1
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ShaanxiRelief and drainageThis valley is a major geological trough, bounded on the south by a vast complex of faults and fractures along the base of the Qin Mountains; it is a zone of considerable seismic instability, especially vulnerable to earthquakes. The northern border of the Wei River trench…
Read MoreThis valley is a major geological trough, bounded on the south by a vast complex of faults and fractures along the base of the Qin Mountains; it is a zone of considerable seismic instability, especially vulnerable to earthquakes. The northern border of the Wei River trench…
Read More- ShaanxiClimate of the Shaanxi
The Wei River valley has a much drier and somewhat colder climate. Average winter temperatures are about 32 °F (0 °C), and the frost-free period lasts for about 240 days. Total precipitation is between 20 and 25 inches (500 to 640 mm), mostly falling between May…
Read MoreThe Wei River valley has a much drier and somewhat colder climate. Average winter temperatures are about 32 °F (0 °C), and the frost-free period lasts for about 240 days. Total precipitation is between 20 and 25 inches (500 to 640 mm), mostly falling between May…
Read More - ShaanxiTransportation
Since prehistoric times, the Wei River valley has formed part of the main east-west route running from the North China Plain in the east to the Hexi (Gansu) Corridor and the steppelands in the west. Xi’an is a natural transport hub. There the great east-west route of the Silk…
Read MoreSince prehistoric times, the Wei River valley has formed part of the main east-west route running from the North China Plain in the east to the Hexi (Gansu) Corridor and the steppelands in the west. Xi’an is a natural transport hub. There the great east-west route of the Silk…
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