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Xiang River

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

The Xiang River is a very important river in China. It is the largest river in the Hunan Province. This river is part of the Lake Dongting drainage system. It eventually flows into the massive Yangtze River. The Xiang is a major part of the Yangtze system. It is the second-largest tributary by how much water it carries. It is also the fifth-largest by its drainage area.

Xiang River in Changsha
Xiang River in Changsha

This river has two large branches at its start. The West Branch begins in the Haiyang Mountains of Guangxi. The East Branch is called the Xiao River. It starts in Lanshan County in Hunan. For a long time, people thought the West Branch was the main stream. However, a 2011 water census changed this idea. The Xiao River is actually the main stream. It is longer and has more water than the West Branch. The two branches meet at Ping Island to form the main stem.

湘江 放大
湘江 放大

History and old paths connect this river to many places. In the past, the river helped move goods along a path. The ancient Lingqu Canal connects the Xiang to the Li River. This canal is located in Xing'an County. People say the Xiang and Li Rivers share the same origin. About 70% of the water in the canal flows into the Xiang. The canal helped connect the Yangtze River to the Pearl River Delta. This made the river a very important waterway for a long time.

There are many facts about the size and path of the river. The main river is 948 kilometers long. Its drainage basin covers 94,721 square kilometers. The river flows from the Lingling District in Yongzhou toward the northeast. It passes through many large cities along its path. These cities include Hengyang, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, and Changsha. In Changsha, you can see the Orange Island Bridge.

湘江 放大
湘江 放大

The Xiang River is also a special place in Chinese stories. Folk religion tells of two goddesses named Ehuang and Nüying. They were the daughters of a legendary ruler named Yao. Stories say they lived near this river. People say the spots on Xiang bamboo are from their tears. Many famous writers have written about this beautiful place. The poet Qu Yuan wrote songs to honor the goddesses. Even famous books and newspapers have used the river's name.

Xiang River in Changsha
Xiang River in Changsha
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File:湘江 放大.jpg
湘江 放大.jpg
File:Xiang River in Changsha.JPG
Xiang River in Changsha.JPG
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