The earliest written record about Fenhe River is Shan Hai Jing, which says, "When the mountain is in charge, Fenshui emerges." Later, "Notes on Water Classics": "Fenshui flows out of Guancen Mountain in the north of Fenyang, Taiyuan." "History of Han Geography" Fenyang: "Beishan, Fenshui." "Kuodizhi": "Fenshui source comes from Guancen Mountain, North Sanli, Jingle County, Lanzhou." It can be seen that there are many records of the source of Fenhe River in ancient books, all pointing to Guancen Mountain in the north-central part of Shanxi Province, but the specific location is unclear.

In February, 1992, Shanxi Water Resources was edited by Shanxi Water Resources Management Committee and published by Shanxi People's Publishing House (P-5): Fenhe River "originated from Guancen Mountain and Leiming Temple Spring in Dongzhai Town, ningwu county". In 1995, The Encyclopedia of China published by China Encyclopedia Publishing House, China Geographical Volume (P-93): Fenhe River "originated from Xileiming Temple Spring in Dongzhai Town, ningwu county Province." In February, 1999, Shanxi Annals of Water Conservancy (P-29), edited by the Provincial Historical Records Research Institute and published by Zhonghua Book Company, said: "Fenhe River is the largest river in Shanxi, which originated from Leiming Temple Spring at the foot of Guancen Mountain in ningwu county." In September, 2114, Science Press published Shanxi River (P-25) edited by Li Yingming and Pan Junfeng: "Fenhe River originates from the jellyfish cave at the foot of Louzi Mountain in Guancen Mountain, Dongzhai Town, ningwu county, and merges with the surrounding longan spring and the tributaries of Xiangdingshi to form a river." The Records of Fenhe River (P-2) edited by the Provincial Water Resources Department and published by Shanxi People's Publishing House in October 2116: "Today's Fenhe River originated from the Leiming Temple Spring at the foot of Beilouzi Mountain, Dongzhai Town, at the southern foot of Guancen Mountain Range in ningwu county, northwest Shanxi Province, where a stone tablet of' Fenyuan Lingfen' was erected, which is regarded as the right source of Fenhe River. In fact, the real source of the Fenhe River should be traced back to the north and west from Zhengyuan Leiming Temple Spring for 16 kilometers to the junction of the northwest of Songjiaya Village in Lushan Township and Wuzhai County. "

In p>2111, when Shanxi Hydrology and Water Resources Survey Bureau undertook the task of river and lake survey (the first national water conservancy survey) that was synchronized with the whole country, it used 1: 51,111 national basic geographic information, satellite remote sensing image map, 2.5-meter image data and other materials to determine it up and down repeatedly, and then through the way of "combining top-down with bottom-up", A lot of communication and consultation were conducted with the State Council Census Office, River Basin Census Office and city and county census offices, and census indicators and tables were formulated, which were distributed to the grassroots for reporting, processing, summarizing, reviewing and reporting, and finally reviewed, evaluated and confirmed again, forming a census result, and determining a channel extending from Shenchi County as the source of Fenhe River, which is under the jurisdiction of Xiling Village, Taiping Zhuang Township, Shenchi County, and located at the upper reaches of Leiming Temple Spring recognized by historical hydrology. Fenhe River originates from Xiling Village, Taipingzhuang Township, Shenchi County, and flows through Ningwu (Xinzhou City), Jingle, Loufan (Taiyuan City), Gujiao, Wanbailin, Yangqu, Jiancaoping, Xinghualing, Yingze, Jinyuan, Xiaodian, Qingxu, Wenshui (Lvliang City), Xiaoyi, Qixian, Pingyao and Jiejie (Jinzhong City).

The specific flow direction of the main stream of Fenhe River is as follows:

The Fenhe River flows out of its source, the left bank joins the Honghe River, and then flows southwest, then flows out of ningwu county in the south and enters Jingle County. Fenhe River passes through Jingle County, and the left bank of the southwest flows to the east and the right to the west, and then passes through Jingle Hydrological Station, and the south flows into loufan county. 511 meters northeast of jingyou town, it flows into Lanhe River, the largest tributary in the upper reaches. Fenhe River passes through a limestone canyon with a length of about 4 kilometers and reaches Fenhe Reservoir, the dam site of which is in Dujiaqu Village. Fenhe River entered the territory of Gujiao City at Longweitou, accepted Tianchi River, Shizi River, Tunlan River and Dachuan River, and passed through Gujiao City to Zhaishang Hydrological Station. Due to being blocked by Shiqianfeng, the flow direction of Fenhe River changed to the east, and the river course was tortuous, and the canyon caught the shore, and it flowed out of Gujiao City at the lower reaches of henan village. It has been flowing northeast until it receives Liulin River on the right bank of Fenhe River at Baiyatou, and then it enters the second reservoir area of Fenhe River. The flow direction of the second reservoir of Fenhe River is changed to southeast. This is the upstream section.

The Fenhe River flows out of Lancun Gorge, where Lancun Spring flows into it, 511 meters downstream, and there is Fenhe No.1 dam diversion project, which is the only overflow dam for blocking the river and rockfill in the main stream of the middle reaches of Fenhe River, and is the upstream diversion port of Fenhe Irrigation District, a modern water conservancy irrigation project that has been rebuilt many times on the basis of ancient hydraulic buildings. Fenhe River flows south through a dam, and reaches the left bank near Gunian Village in the north and south to accept Yang Xinghe. Fenhe River flows south again and enters Taiyuan City. From 155 meters upstream of Shengli Bridge to 125 meters downstream of South Inner Ring Bridge, the two banks of this section are 6 kilometers long. From 1996 to 2111, large-scale comprehensive renovation and beautification were carried out continuously, and a strip-shaped riverside scenic spot was built, which improved the urban environment.

Fenhe River flows south from Taiyuan City, and hangs under Wengshan Mountain 25 kilometers southwest, where Jinci Spring flows into it. Fenhe River flows southwest again, and Xiaohe River flows into it. Fenhe River goes down to Qingxu County. After the second dam of Fenhe River, it leaves Qingxu and flows between Qixian County and Wenshui County. Fenhe River joins Changyuan River on the left bank of Qixian County. Before joining, Xiangyu River (called Xianggushui in ancient times) and Wuma River were accepted.

Fenhe River flows into Pingyao near new castle. Fenhe River enters Pingyao County and passes through Fenhe No.3 Dam near Jiangjiapu, which is a water diversion project at the lower end of the middle reaches of Fenhe River and supplies water to Fenhe Irrigation District.

When Fenhe River enters Jiexiu boundary, Ciyao River and Wenyu River, the largest tributary, meet successively. In the northwest of the lower reaches of Hongxiang Village, Longfeng River was accepted. The southwest of Fenhe River flows 6 kilometers past the southeast of Yitang Hydrological Station and flows out of Jiexiu.

Fenhe River flows southwest from Jiexiu to the boundary of Lingshi County, meandering for more than 11 kilometers to reach the county seat. Jingsheng River is accepted on the left bank of 1 km upstream of the county seat, and flows southward through the county seat. The 1 km main stream suddenly bends at 91 degrees and flows westward, and then the Shuangchi River flows into it. Fenhe River meanders through Linghuo Mountain Gorge here. According to legend, in ancient times, Dayu used to pass by this gorge for water control. Seeing that the gorge was narrow and shallow, he led the people to cut mountains and stones and dredge waterways, so that the Fenhe River could pass smoothly. It is this story that is widely circulated among the people that "open Lingshikou and vacate Jinyang Lake". Fenhe River enters huozhou city at Wangzhuang. Guo Zhuang spring flows into the south.

Fenhe River enters the territory of Hongtong County and enters the downstream section. Turn south and flow west, and then descend to Zhaocheng Town on the left bank. Fenhe River flows south to the north of Hongdong County, turns west and flows on the left bank to join Honganjian River and Huoquan River.

Fenhe River exits from Hongdong to han cun and enters the urban area of Linfen, where there is a karst spring named Longchi Spring. Fenhe River flows south in Linfen, then flows west and then flows south, and receives the confluence of the waterlogged river and the giant river originating in the eastern mountainous area on the left bank. Fenhe River flows south again and enters Xiangfen County. Fenhe River has two flood gullies in Xiangfen, which enter Pingchuan District from the western mountainous area and enter Fenhe River. One is Huodu Valley, and the other is Sanguan Valley, both of which are seasonal flood streams.

Fenhe River leaves Xiangfen and passes through the border of Quwo County and houma city. Fenhe River has been circulating here for several times and entered Xinjiang. After the Hui River joins from the left bank, its flow direction basically turns to the west. Another Sanquan River flows into the river from the right bank, and there is a gushui irrigation area in the upper reaches.

Fenhe River enters Jishan County, where the main channel swings greatly from north to south, and then goes to Dishi Village to the north, leaving Jishan County and entering Hejin City. Then it flows westward into the wide and gentle Fenhe River into the Yellow River estuary. Influenced by the invasion of Fenhe River by the East Yellow River, Fenhe River often moves up and down from north to south. As far away as Miaoqian Village, Ronghe Town, Wanrong County, the old road enters the Yellow River, and it moves to Hejin Middle Lake Tide and East Lake Tide to bring it into the Yellow River.