2 Major Rivers in China: The Yellow River & The Yangtze River 1. The Yangtze (Long River) The third longest river in the world (4,000 miles long) The third longest river in the world (4,000 miles long) It floods each year and leaves fertile soil along the banks. It floods each year and leaves fertile soil along the banks. It has high banks, which keeps homes safe from the annual flooding. It has high banks, which keeps homes safe from the annual flooding. *

2 Major Rivers in China: The Yellow River & The Yangtze River 2. The Huang He (Yellow River) About 3000 miles long. About 3000 miles long. Name came from the muddy color Name came from the muddy color It also floods each year. The banks along the Huang He River are low. It also floods each year. The banks along the Huang He River are low.

How did the rivers affect early civilizations in China? The early China civilizations called all rivers in China by the nickname "The Great Sorrow". That is because each year during the flood season, all homes along the rivers were destroyed. Each year, the ancient Chinese had to rebuild their homes and their lives. The early China civilizations called all rivers in China by the nickname "The Great Sorrow". That is because each year during the flood season, all homes along the rivers were destroyed. Each year, the ancient Chinese had to rebuild their homes and their lives.