Ao River (Zhejiang)

Ao River
Ounan Bridge over the Ao
Maps of the Ao River basin
Location
CountryChina
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationThe southern slope of Wudi Mountain, Guiku Village, Guishan Township, Wencheng County, Zhejiang, China
 • coordinates27°35′39″N 120°03′24″E / 27.59417°N 120.05667°E / 27.59417; 120.05667
Mouth 
 • location
Between Yangyu Mountain n Pingyang and Pipa Mountain in Longgang
 • coordinates
27°34′7″N 120°37′47″E / 27.56861°N 120.62972°E / 27.56861; 120.62972
Length90 kilometres (56 mi)
Basin size1,521.49 square kilometres (587.45 mi2)

The Ao River (Chinese: 鳌江), also known as the Aojiang River, is a river in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. One of the eight major river systems in Zhejiang, the Ao is traditionally divided into three sections: the upper reaches known as Shunxi, the middle reaches called Beigang, and the lower reaches referred to as Aojiang. The largest tributary is Nangang, also known as the Hengyang Branch River. The main stream extends for 90 kilometres (56 mi).

The Ao River basin covers Wencheng County, Taishun County, Pingyang County, Cangnan County, and Longgang City in Wenzhou, with a total drainage area of 1,521.49 square kilometres (587.45 sq mi). The Ao River is one of the few rivers in China, apart from the Qiantang River and the Min River, that exhibits a tidal bore phenomenon, and it has long been associated with the traditional practice of tide watching.