Based on geographical regions, the distinction between 江 (jiāng) and 河 (hé) becomes evident. In the north, rivers are commonly referred to as 河, such as the Yellow River (黄河 Huáng Hé), Wei River (渭河 Wèi Hé), Luo River (洛河 Luò Hé), and Qaidam River (柴达木河 Cháidámù Hé). In contrast, in the south, rivers are often called 江, like the Yangtze River (长江 Cháng Jiāng), Pearl River (珠江 Zhū Jiāng), Lijiang River (丽江 Lí Jiāng), and Jinsha River (金沙江 Jīnshā Jiāng).
The Yangtze River serves as a north-south boundary in distinguishing between the two terms. Rivers north of the Yangtze are referred to as 河, while those to the south are called 江.
From the perspective of modern geographical knowledge, rivers that flow into inland seas or lakes are termed 河, such as the Yellow River (黄河 Huáng Hé) and the Liao River (辽河 Liáo Hé) that flow into the Bohai Sea. Conversely, rivers that flow into external seas or oceans are called 江, like the Yangtze River (长江 Cháng Jiāng) that flows into the East China Sea and the Pearl River (珠江 Zhū Jiāng) that flows into the South China Sea.
The distinction is also made based on the clarity of their flood and dry seasons. Rivers like the Yangtze (长江 Cháng Jiāng) and Pearl River (珠江 Zhū Jiāng), where the flood and dry seasons are not distinct and they flow vigorously all year round ensuring year-round navigation, are called 江. In contrast, rivers with pronounced flood and dry seasons, like the Yellow River (黄河 Huáng Hé), which sees massive floods in summer and nearly dries up in some sections during winter, are referred to as 河.