Qinling Huaihe Line

The Qinling Huaihe line (秦岭淮河线 Qínlǐng huáihé xiàn) is a reference line used by geographers to distinguish between Northern and Southern China.^[1]

The Qinling Huaihe Line separates China into its Northern and Southern China.

It divides China into two regions that differ from each other in climate, culture, lifestyle and cuisine. Qinling refers to the Qinling Mountains, and Huaihe refers to the Huai River.^[2]

Regions north of the line tend to be temperate or frigid, with snow being a regular feature in winter. Regions south of the line tend to be subtropical and tropical. The south is hotter and wetter than the north.

People south of the line generally prefer hot and spicy dishes, and people north of the line prefer sweet dishes. One explanation is that hot dishes can help release dampness, and sweet food can store energy ro protect themselves from long, cold winters.

Differences in climate lead to differences in the behaviours between the Northern and the Southern Chinese.^[3]

The line also represents the 800 mm annual precipitation line of China.^[4]

Historically, the North was more developed South most of the times, but has changed in recent times, and half of the most developed Tier 1 cities of China are in the South. It was in the Ming dynasty that the economy of the South outpaced that of the North.^[1][5]

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