Quantitative estimation of groundwater recharge is crucial for limited water resources management. A combination of isotopic and chemical indicators has been used to evaluate the relationship between surface water, groundwater, and rainfall around the riparian of the Yellow River in the North China Plain (NCP). The ion molar ratio of sodium to chloride in surface- and groundwater is 0.6 and 0.9, respectively, indicating cation exchange of Ca2+ and/or Mg2+ for Na+ in groundwater. The delta D and delta O-18 values in rainfall varied from -64.4 to -33.4 parts per thousand and from -8.39 to -4.49 parts per thousand. The groundwater samples have delta D values in the range of -68.7 to -58.0 parts per thousand and delta O-18 from -9.29 to -6.85 parts per thousand. The delta O-18 and delta D in surface water varied from -8.51 to -7.23 parts per thousand and from -64.42 to -53.73 parts per thousand. The average values of both delta D and delta O-18 from surface water are 3.92 parts per thousand and 0.57 parts per thousand, respectively, higher compared to groundwater. Isotopic composition indicated that the groundwater in the riparian area of the Yellow River was influenced by heavy rainfall events and seepage of surface water. The mass balance was applied for the first time to estimate the amount of recharge, which is probably 6% and 94% of the rainfall and surface water, respectively.