Holidaymakers in Eastern China Amazed by Qiantang River Tidal Bore
Qiantang River tidal bore captivates tourists during the holiday season in Eastern China.
TroibNews 
Holidaymakers have been captivated by the impressive Qiantang River tidal bore in Haining City, located in east China's Zhejiang Province, as the "Silver Dragon" enters its prime viewing season around the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
A tidal bore is a natural event in which the leading edge of an incoming tide produces a wave that moves upstream against the river's current.
This remarkable phenomenon is driven by the tide-generating forces resulting from the gravitational attraction between the Earth, the moon, and the sun.
From the 16th to the 18th of the eighth lunar month, the sun, moon, and Earth align in a relatively straight line in space, creating the strongest tidal forces impacting seawater. This alignment is crucial for the formation of the tidal bore.
The centrifugal force from the Earth's rotation, combined with the trumpet shape of Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang, facilitates the tide's entrance while impeding its retreat, leading to the creation of the largest tidal bore, referred to as the "Silver Dragon" by locals.
The unique trumpet-shaped estuary, characterized by a wide mouth tapering to a narrow inner section, along with the elevated riverbed, contributes to a slower rising rate of the tides. The waves behind propel those in front, culminating in this extraordinary natural spectacle.
Various tidal patterns can be observed from multiple viewpoints, including crisscross, one-line, back-flow, and fish-scale tides.
The optimal time for viewing these tides occurs during the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, with the most dramatic displays typically seen on the 18th of the month, which falls on September 20 this year.
Tide-watching has evolved into a cherished folk tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival, as the prime viewing period closely coincides with this celebratory date.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, which honors the moon and the harvest, is among the most significant Chinese festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which was on Tuesday this year.
Footage taken at the Yanguan Tourist Resort in Haining City— a popular site for tourists eager to witness the tides—showed breathtaking scenes of massive waves crashing at speeds of 20 kilometers per hour, splashing against the dam.
The T-shaped dams lining the river not only mitigate the impact of the powerful surging tides on the riverbank but also provide an impressive view of the dramatic fluctuations of the roaring waves.
A strong wind from typhoon Bebinca has caused the river to swell and raised the water levels. Recent data indicated that Tuesday's tidal bore surpassed previous days in spectacle, reaching a height of about one meter.
Local authorities have advised tide-watchers to stay vigilant regarding weather conditions and prioritize safety.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
A tidal bore is a natural event in which the leading edge of an incoming tide produces a wave that moves upstream against the river's current.
This remarkable phenomenon is driven by the tide-generating forces resulting from the gravitational attraction between the Earth, the moon, and the sun.
From the 16th to the 18th of the eighth lunar month, the sun, moon, and Earth align in a relatively straight line in space, creating the strongest tidal forces impacting seawater. This alignment is crucial for the formation of the tidal bore.
The centrifugal force from the Earth's rotation, combined with the trumpet shape of Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang, facilitates the tide's entrance while impeding its retreat, leading to the creation of the largest tidal bore, referred to as the "Silver Dragon" by locals.
The unique trumpet-shaped estuary, characterized by a wide mouth tapering to a narrow inner section, along with the elevated riverbed, contributes to a slower rising rate of the tides. The waves behind propel those in front, culminating in this extraordinary natural spectacle.
Various tidal patterns can be observed from multiple viewpoints, including crisscross, one-line, back-flow, and fish-scale tides.
The optimal time for viewing these tides occurs during the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, with the most dramatic displays typically seen on the 18th of the month, which falls on September 20 this year.
Tide-watching has evolved into a cherished folk tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival, as the prime viewing period closely coincides with this celebratory date.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, which honors the moon and the harvest, is among the most significant Chinese festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which was on Tuesday this year.
Footage taken at the Yanguan Tourist Resort in Haining City— a popular site for tourists eager to witness the tides—showed breathtaking scenes of massive waves crashing at speeds of 20 kilometers per hour, splashing against the dam.
The T-shaped dams lining the river not only mitigate the impact of the powerful surging tides on the riverbank but also provide an impressive view of the dramatic fluctuations of the roaring waves.
A strong wind from typhoon Bebinca has caused the river to swell and raised the water levels. Recent data indicated that Tuesday's tidal bore surpassed previous days in spectacle, reaching a height of about one meter.
Local authorities have advised tide-watchers to stay vigilant regarding weather conditions and prioritize safety.
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
