Qinling–Huaihe Line

The Qinling–Huaihe Line (Chinese: 秦岭淮河线; pinyin: Qínlǐng Huáihé Xiàn) is a reference line used by geographers to distinguish between northern and southern China, corresponding roughly to the 33rd parallel.[1][2] Qinling refers to the Qin Mountains, and Huaihe refers to the Huai River.[3] Running from Qin Mountain in the west to Huai River in the east, it divides eastern China into northern and southern regions that differ from each other in climate, culture, lifestyle, and cuisine.

The Qinling–Huaihe Line separates China into Northern and Southern China

The Heihe–Tengchong Line divided China into eastern and western halves. The "Qinling–Huaihe Line" further subdivides the eastern half into north and south

Regions north of the Line tend to be temperate or continental, with snow being a regular feature in winter. Regions south of the Line tend to be subtropical or tropical. In general, the southern region is hotter and wetter than the northern region.

Historically, due to being the Cradle of Chinese Civilization, the North had always been more developed than the South, but much has changed in recent times. Currently, three of the four most developed Tier 1 cities in China are in the South. It was in the Ming dynasty that the economy of the South started to outpace the economy of the North.[1][4]

Nowadays, due to better transport infrastructure and increased economic activities between different Chinese regions, most Chinese people acknowledge that the differences within the Chinese society do not fall neatly into the traditional "north and south" divisions anymore.