The physical relief of China drops off in a series of escarpments eastward to the sea, letting in humid air currents from the sea and causing many rivers to flow eastward. China’s rivers amount to 220,000 km in total length. The Yangtze and Yellow are among the world’s mightiest rivers. Other renowned rivers include the Heilongjiang, Songhuajiang, Pear, Liaohe, Haihe, Haihe, Lancangjiang, Nujiang, Yarlung Zangbo and Tarim rivers.

     The many splendid land of China is glorified by far-reaching mountain chains, magnificent highlands, boundless plains, mountain-rimmed basins, and gentle rolling hills. Mountains and highlands make up 65% of the Chinese continent, which is studded with 2,000-odd natural lakes. The 8,848-meter-high Mount Qomolangma is the highest peak in the world; the lowest part of the Turpan Basin is 154 meters below sea level.

     Four major Highlands: Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Inner Mongolia Plateau, Loess Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.
Four major basins: Tarim Basin, Junggar Basin, Tsaidam Basin and Cichuan Basin.

     Three major Plains: Northeast China Plain, North China Plain and the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Plain.