Holidaymakers have been amazed by the magnificent Qiantang River tidal bore in Haining City of east China's Zhejiang Province, as the "Silver Dragon" ushers in its best viewing season around the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
A tidal bore is a phenomenon where the leading edge of an incoming tide creates a wave that surges up a river against the flow.
The centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the Earth and the trumpet shape of the Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang makes it easy for the tide to come in, but difficult to ebb, thus giving rise to the largest tidal bore, which is called the "Silver Dragon" by locals.
The Qiantang River boasts a variety of tidal types that can be observed from different vantage points, including the criss-cross tidal bore, the one-line tidal bore, the back-flow tidal bore, and the fish scale tidal bore.
The best time to witness the Qiantang River tides is during the eighth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, with the most dramatic display typically occurring on the 18th day of the month, which falls on Sept 20 this year.
Tide-watching has become a grand folk tradition on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival because the best viewing time is close to the celebration date of the festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, in honor of the moon and harvest, is one of the most important Chinese festivals. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. It falls on Tuesday this year.
Footage filmed at the Yanguan Tourist Resort in Haining City, a renowned destination where tourists gather to admire the tides every year, on Tuesday showed awe-inspiring scenes of great waves hurtling at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour and splashing against the dam time to time.
The T-shaped dams stretching along the river not only reduce the impact of the surging tide on the river bank but also offer a stunning view of ups and downs of roaring waves.
Strong wind brought by typhoon Bebinca has made the river swell and raised the water level on the river. The latest data showed that Tuesday's tidal bore was even more spectacular than previous days, reaching a height of around one meter.
Local authorities have warned tide-viewers to keep a close eye on the weather and pay attention to safety.
Magnificent Qiantang River tidal bore in east China city amazes holidaymakers
