This chapter explores the historical course changes of the Yellow RiverThe Yellow River/The Yellow River basin and their profound impact on Chinese civilization. As the cradle of Chinese culture, the Yellow RiverThe Yellow River/The Yellow River basin has played a decisive role in shaping the country’s geographical and socio-economic landscape. The discussion chronicles key events, from early explorations of the river’s source during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods to the catastrophic floods and channel shifts of the Qin and Han dynasties. The chapter analyzes major course alterations during the Tang and Song dynasties, demonstrating how these changes led to recurrent flooding, sedimentation, and land degradation. The instability of the Yellow RiverThe Yellow River/The Yellow River basin’s lower reaches frequently destroyed farmland, displaced populations, and even contributed to dynastic collapses. The high sediment content of the Yellow RiverThe Yellow River/The Yellow River basin, resulting from severe soil erosion in the Loess PlateauLoess Plateau, created the phenomenon of the “above-ground river,” posing significant challenges to flood control and water management. The lecture concludes by examining the role of human activities, particularly deforestation and intensive farming, in exacerbating erosion and sedimentation problems.