CNN selects the world's most beautiful rivers — China's Li River also makes the list

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Since ancient times, rivers have not only provided humans with drinking water but have also been one of the major sources of food, while also serving functions such as irrigation and transportation, thus giving rise to many ancient civilizations. In modern times, in addition to these roles, rivers also bring tourism benefits to their respective countries. CNN has selected the world's most beautiful rivers, with the Danube, Rhine, and others on the list — and China's Li River has also been included.

The Amazon River,The Amazon River is located in the northern part of South America and is the river with the greatest flow, largest basin, and most tributaries in the world. It ranks second in length. With a flow rate of 219,000 cubic meters per second, the Amazon’s discharge is several times greater than the combined flow of the other three great rivers — the Nile (Africa), the Yangtze (China), and the Mississippi (United States) — roughly equivalent to seven Yangtze Rivers, accounting for 20% of the world’s river discharge. Its basin covers 6,915,000 km², representing 40% of the area of South America, and it has over 15,000 tributaries.(Photo / CFP)


The Zambezi River, also known as the Zambezi River (Zambezi River), or locally referred to as "the great river." The Zambezi is the largest river in Southern Africa and the largest river on the African continent that flows into the Indian Ocean. It originates from the mountainous region at an altitude of 1,300 meters in the northwest border of Zambia, flows through Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique, with tributaries also running through Malawi. The main river empties into the Mozambique Channel, stretching 2,660 kilometers in length with a basin area of 1.35 million square kilometers.(Photo / CFP)

The Sepik River, the main river in the northwestern part of Papua New Guinea. It originates from the northern slope of the central mountain range where Papua New Guinea borders Irian Jaya, meanders northeast through the mountainous region before flowing into the Bismarck Sea. The river stretches 1,100 kilometers, with small boats able to navigate up to 480 kilometers. Its largest tributary is the Ottilien River.(Photo / CFP)

The Danube River, the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. It originates from the eastern slope of the Black Forest in southwestern Germany and flows from west to east through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, finally emptying into the Black Sea in south-central Ukraine. It flows through 10 countries, making it the river with the most countries along its main course in the world.(Photo / CFP)

The Rhine River, the longest river in Germany. The Rhine flows for 865 kilometers within Germany, and its basin area accounts for 40% of Germany’s total land area — often regarded as the cradle of Germany. The main course of the Rhine is approximately 1,230 kilometers long (current measurements estimate the total length from the source in the Swiss Alps in Graubünden, through Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and France, to the outlet in the Dutch North Sea, is around 1,232 kilometers). It has nearly 900 kilometers of navigable waterways, about 700 of which can accommodate sea-going ships of up to 10,000 tons.(Photo / CFP)

The Irrawaddy River of Myanmar, the Irrawaddy River (Irrawaddy River), is one of the major rivers on the Indochina Peninsula in Asia and the largest river in Myanmar. Known in ancient China as the Dàjīnshājiāng (Great Golden River) and Lìshuǐ (Beautiful Water). It has two main sources — the eastern source is the N'mai Kha River, originating from the southern foothills of the Boshula Mountains in Zayü County, China (referred to in Yunnan, China as the Dulong River), and the western source, the Mali Kha River, originates from the mountainous regions of northern Myanmar. The river is 2,714 kilometers long with a basin area of 430,000 square kilometers. The entire basin is confined between the western mountains and the Shan Plateau, forming a long, narrow shape running north to south, with a fan-shaped delta (30,000 square kilometers) at the river mouth.(Photo / CFP)

The Kenai River in the United States, flows 82 miles (approximately 132 kilometers) from the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. This glacial meltwater river is a prime destination for fishing. The twice-yearly salmon runs provide a feast for American black bears, moose, brown bears, and a variety of bird species. Beluga whales can also be spotted in the upper reaches during spring. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque Kenai River through hunting trips, glacier tours, or multi-day kayaking adventures.(Photo / CFP)

The Ganges River, flows through India and Bangladesh, and is one of the most crowded rivers in the world. The “Mother Ganges” is certainly not the cleanest or most beautiful river in the world, but it remains the most sacred river in Hinduism. Pilgrims gather in the holy city of Varanasi to bathe and perform funeral rites in the Ganges — an experience of profound significance.(Photo / CFP)

The Nile River in Africa, the Nile Basin is one of the cradles of world civilization. The winding Nile is the soul of Egypt. When people think of ancient Egypt, they envision the pyramids towering along the Nile, the papyrus produced along its banks, the ancient boats sailing the river, and the mysterious mummies.(Photo/CFP)

Colorado River, where the Colorado River and the Green River meet in the western United States and Mexico, is one of the most spectacular river valley landscapes in the world. The canyon area, shaped by weathering and water erosion, features a colorful and diverse terrain..(Photo/CFP)

The Loire River in France, dotted with ancient castles and picturesque scenery, is known as the "Garden of France." Along its banks, there are over 300 preserved castles and estates that together form some of the most beautiful views on the Loire. The vineyards on the west bank of the Loire are also famous for their wine production.(Photo/CFP)

China’s Li River, though the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers are China's most well-known rivers, people are often more captivated by the beauty of the Li River. The river's dramatic karst landscape can rival the limestone cliffs of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. You can take a boat cruise between Guilin and Yangshuo along the Li River, or experience a more traditional journey by bamboo raft on the quieter and smaller Yulong River.(Photo/CFP)

Russia’s Volga River— there is a Russian saying: "To understand Russia, you must first understand the Volga River." As the mother river of Russia, the Volga nurtures 11 of the country’s 20 largest cities.(Photo/CFP)

※Photos provided exclusively to this website by CFP Visual China. No part or all of these images may be reproduced by any website, newspaper, or TV station without permission from CFP. Violators will be prosecuted.