The Hetao Plain in Inner Mongolia is another
major irrigated area in the upper reaches of
the river. Lying in the northernmost section of
the basin, entirely north of the Great Wall,
it is bounded to the west by the Wulanbuhe Desert,
to the south by the Kubuqi Desert
and the Eerduosi Plateau,
and to the north by the Yinshan Mountains.
Irrigation began here as early as the
sixth century, it remains one of northwest China's
major grain bases. Irrigation water is obtained
through direct diversion channels from Yellow River,
leaving the area vulnerable to flooding and drought.
To improve on the reliability of irrigation,
the Sanshenggong diversion project
was implemented. Still, the region suffers
from waterlogging and salinity problems due to lack of
drainage facilities. The top picture shows
the fertile Hetao Plain, and the next picture shows
the northern boundary of the irrigated zone.
The Nation of Xi Xia prospered here from
the 10th century to 13th century before it was
conquered by the Mongols, leaving behind its capital city
Tongwan in ruin and
half submerged in sand.
The Hetao Plain
Farm land at the edge of the desert
Picture source: YRCC, Huanghe Feng,
Yellow River Pub House, 1996.