Based on analysis of the current status of ecological compensation in the Yellow River Basin, the types of and priority areas for ecological compensation for the basin are discussed in this paper. The following priority areas should be taken into account: the Three River Sources(the source of the Yellow River)water conservation area, water and soil conservation, trans-provincial(or regional)water pollution, significant project construction, drinking water source areas, and downriver beaches of the Yellow River. In addition, the basic water-related ecological compensation framework for the Yellow River Basin is described. It is suggested that basic research on the ecological compensation mechanisms and case studies in priority areas for the ecological compensation in the Yellow River Basin should be strengthened.