The Yangtze River is the largest river in China and is affectionately known as the “Mother River,” which has shaped the ancient culture of the country with a population of over a billion.
For those who enjoy exploring picturesque landscapes, the banks of the Yangtze River are a must-visit. But did you know? There is a very special tributary of the Yangtze that turns into a brilliant red river whenever it rains. Is there a mystical story behind this?
Xich Shui – “The Red River”
This river is located at the confluence of the provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, and is called the Xich Shui River.
The name of this brilliant red river is quite simple; it is called Xich Shui, located at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, a region renowned for its various delicious liquors.
Why is this river called Xich Shui? In ancient times, the Xich Shui River was also known as An Lac Shui or Dai Thiep Shui. In fact, there is a legend that says when it rains, the water here turns red.
In reality, this color-changing phenomenon is not just a legend but has a solid scientific basis. In the upper reaches of the Xich Shui River, there is a valley containing red rock and soil. After a long period of weathering, this soil and rock have become soft and crumbly.
When it rains, the rising river water mixes with this red mud from upstream. As this soil and rock are red, the water will change color accordingly. From a distance, it appears like a bright red river, evoking a slightly eerie feeling for those who are unaware.
The name Xich Shui comes from this phenomenon. “Xich” in Chinese means red.
Legends Surrounding the Red River
When it rains, the river water mixes with the red mud upstream, causing the river to turn red.
There is a very mysterious legend about this river. It is said that a Dragon King lives at the bottom of the Xich Shui River. Normally calm, but when thunder and rain occur, the Dragon King becomes very fierce. Every time the Dragon King gets angry, the water in the river turns red.
In addition to the color change, another strange phenomenon occurs: whenever it rains, many snakes and insects from the areas along the riverbanks start to crawl out. People believe this phenomenon is to prevent humans from disturbing the Dragon King’s peace.
However, scientifically speaking, rain causes the river to rise, leading to a loss of hiding places, forcing snakes and insects living along the banks to move to higher ground.
The emergence of these legends originates from humanity’s inability to explain certain natural phenomena.
A River Rich in Natural Resources
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The river turning red whenever it rains astonishes many. What is the mystery behind this strange phenomenon?
A “Golden River” Suddenly Appears in South Africa
This peculiar river is called Xich Shui. It is a tributary of the upper Yangtze River in China. At first glance, the Xich Shui River looks very ordinary, like any other river. However, whenever it rains, the water suddenly turns bright red, becoming quite fearsome.
Accordingly, in a short time, the river water unexpectedly turns blood-red. According to local legends, whenever the river changes color, it is a sign of the evil dragon’s mischief.
So, where does the secret of this river lie?
The Xich Shui River when it is not raining.
Experts say this strange river is called Xich Shui, meaning red water. The river originates from the mountainous region in the northeast of Yunnan Province and flows through the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou.
In ancient times, this river was known as Xich Huy, meaning evil dragon in the water. Locals often believed that whenever it rained, the evil dragon in the river caused the water to turn red like blood.
Moreover, during this time, many venomous snakes appear along the riverbanks. However, this is merely a folk legend.
Why Does the Xich Shui River Turn Red?
However, when it rains, the water of the Xich Shui River turns blood-red.
According to scientists, in the town of Dai Dong, located in the southwest of Xich Shui, there is a gorge called Hong Thach. Here, a segment of the river cuts into the mountain about 200 meters. Surrounding this area is very soft red sandstone that is easily eroded.
After enduring rain and wind, this sandstone gradually wears down into fine red sand. Therefore, whenever it rains, the rising river water causes a large amount of sand to wash out from the gorge into the Xich Shui River, creating a scene reminiscent of “a dragon spitting forth red water.” The water of the Xich Shui River turns red like blood.
It turns out this is just a normal phenomenon. Although the exact cause has been scientifically explained, many people still marvel at this special occurrence. Truly, nature is fascinating!
A River Rich in Natural Resources
With a length of 436.5 km, the Xich Shui River is home to a complete ecosystem with abundant biological resources. Specifically, over 3,000 species inhabit this river, and it is also a “paradise” for many rare fish species, endemic to the upper Yangtze River. Additionally, the Xich Shui River holds significant importance for establishing ecological barriers in the region.
According to experts, the Xich Shui River is one of the important waterways connecting the provinces of Sichuan and Guizhou in China. In fact, the salt consumption in Sichuan and the production of coal and bamboo in Guizhou are primarily imported and exported via this river.
Xich Shui – A Cultural Hub for Liquor
After the rain, the river turns red.
The Xich Shui River is a tourist destination with unique scenery. After the rain, the river turns red. If this coincides with sunset, the entire area will be bathed in a brilliant red hue, creating an incredibly picturesque scene.
Visitors to the banks of the Xich Shui River can explore the ancient liquor culture and sample various delightful brews.
During the Han Dynasty, residents along the riverbanks mastered the art of brewing. To this day, 60% of the famous liquors in the country originate from this area, including China’s most famous liquor, Mao Tai. The main reason the liquor here is so renowned is that Xich Shui is the only tributary of the Yangtze River that is not polluted.
60% of the famous liquors in China originate from here.
The excellent water has brewed many fine liquors, including Mao Tai. Many people believe that although the water is unpolluted, it still contains numerous bacteria and sediment, making it unsanitary to brew liquor directly from the Xich Shui River.
In fact, the color of the Xich Shui River changes with the seasons. From the Dragon Boat Festival (June) to the Double Ninth Festival (October) is the rainy season for the Xich Shui River, during which the water turns the deepest red filled with rich silt.
Outside of this period, the river remains clear. The water is collected for brewing after being purified and sterilized.
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