Haolai River

The Haolai River is a narrow natural river located on the Inner Mongolia Plateau in northern China. Often referred to as the "narrowest river in the world", it stretches approximately 17 kilometers in length. Its average width of 15 centimeters can be crossed with a single step. The river is just 4 centimeters wide at its narrowest point.^[1]

Geography

The Haolai River originates from an underground spring and maintains a steady, year-round flow. Despite its diminutive size, it meets all the hydrological criteria of a natural river. It has a defined river basin and floodplain, and it traverses the Hexigten Grasslands Nature Reserve, an ecologically significant region in Inner Mongolia. The river ultimately flows into Dalai Nur lake, a major water body in the area.

Hydrology and ecology

Although small in both depth and width, the Haolai River plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems and the livelihoods of herding communities. The river reaches a maximum depth of approximately 50 centimeters and serves as a water source for cattle and other livestock. Its stable flow and surrounding meadows provide a habitat for native flora and fauna, attracting interest from environmental scientists studying its ecological resilience and longevity.

Cultural significance

Locally, the river is also known as the "Book Bridge River", a name derived from local folklore. According to legend, a young boy once dropped a book while crossing the river, which inadvertently created a bridge for ants to cross. This story has contributed to the cultural identity of the river among local communities.^[2]

Conservation

Due to its unique characteristics, the Haolai River is of interest to researchers and conservationists. Efforts are ongoing to monitor its ecological health and preserve the surrounding grassland environment, which is part of a larger initiative to protect China’s semi-arid ecosystems from degradation.

Recognition and debate

The Haolai River has gained attention for being possibly the "narrowest natural river in the world". While some skepticism exists regarding this claim, especially given its extreme narrowness, the river continues to meet the accepted scientific criteria for classification as a river, rather than a stream or rill.^[3]

See also

• List of rivers of China
• Dalai Nur
• Inner Mongolia