Which mountain range forms the traditional boundary between northern and southern China?

The Qinling Mountains form the traditional geographic boundary between northern and southern China.

Also called the Qin Mountains, the Qinling run broadly east–west through southern Shaanxi. They divide the drainage basins of the Yellow River to the north and the Yangtze River to the south, making them a powerful natural and cultural dividing line.

The broader Qinling–Huaihe Line extends eastward from the mountains to the Huai River and is commonly associated with differences in climate, agriculture, cuisine, and settlement patterns. North of the line, winters are generally colder and drier; south of it, conditions are typically warmer and wetter.

The range has also shaped Chinese history. The Wei River valley north of the mountains was an early center of Chinese civilization, while the Han River valley lies to the south. Mount Taibai, rising to about 3,767 meters, is the highest peak of the Qinling.