The Yellow River is the second longest river in China after the Yangtze River. Chinese affectionately call it "Mother River" as its basin was the cradle of Chinese civilization. The river flows slowly and sluggishly on most of its course. Its yellowness comes from the immense amount of silt it carries from the Loess Plateau.
Due to the decreasing temperatures, the Yellow River is now covered by thick ice. The slower river flow makes the water clearer. It carries floating white ice and winds its way along the yellow riverbed. Aerial photos have revealed a breathtaking view of the vein-like network of the Yellow River systems in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province of North China.