In fact, thousands of years passed before overland and sea routes to the West gradually connected China to Central Asia, India, and Europe. The Pacific Ocean to the east of China also prevented foreigners from reaching China. The Gobi Desert in ancient China is one of the driest deserts in the world. China also has some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. One of these mountain ranges is known as the Himalayas.
Mountains occupy about forty-three percent of China's land area.
Only about twelve percent of China's land is plains and most of that is in the eastern part of China. The Huang He river system is about 3,000 miles long. This is about the distance from California to New York. The river empties into the Yellow Sea. This river system provided fertile soil and farmers were able to grow plenty of food.