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Why does the Amur River turn northeastward near Khabarovsk?

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Topographic map of the Amur River basin and its drainage network, covering parts of northeastern China, eastern Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, shows major rivers and tributaries, surrounding mountain ranges, swamps, marshes, and lakes, and includes a locator inset of the region within Asia. Major cities, railways, and dams are also marked. — Amur River The Amur River basin and its drainage network.

The Amur River turns northeastward near Khabarovsk because it is diverted by the Sikhote-Alin mountain ranges. Although the river is only 230 miles (370 km) from the Sea of Japan at this point, these mountains force it to flow northeast for 600 miles (970 km) before it eventually empties into the sea.1