Qiantang River Tide (Wave)

qiantang river tideThe Qiantang River plays an important role in the water-transportation between the east and the west.It is a southeast Chinese river that originates in the borders of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces and passes through Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, before flowing into the East China Sea through Hangzhou Bay.

The Qiantang River are well known for the world's largest tidal bore, which is up to 9 metres high, and travels at up to 40 km per hour. The rising tide of the Qiantang River is a marvelous spectacle rivaled only by the Amazon. Each year, thousands of people flock to Haining city to watch the magnificent tide on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month, when the sun, the moon, and the earth are on the same line. Many local residents and tourists had come to the dike to watch the annual event when the tidal surge occurred. The tide rushing into the river from the bay causes a bore usually from 5 to 15 ft high, which sweeps past Hangzhou and menaces shipping in the harbor.

When the surging tide comes, the water can rise up to a height of 30 feet and the noise it generates sounds like thunder, or thousands of horses running. Various activities will also be held to celebrate the annual Tide - Watching Festival, according to local custom. In terms of its history, the custom of watching the bore tide has happened for more than 2000 years. However, the rushing tide can be dangerous for your safety and security unless you listen to the advice of the local policemen there.


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