Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Under a brilliant full moon, crowds of visitors gathered along the Qiantang River in Yanguan Town, east China's Zhejiang Province on Monday night, awaiting the nocturnal tidal bore under the moonlight as a cherished Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.

As the onlookers waited, bathed in the bright mid-autumn moonlight, the ancient town of Yanguan revealed its charm under the mid-autumn moonlight. Some climbed the Zhan'ao Pagoda for a panoramic night view, while others strolled with family along the centuries-old dam.

What made this year's tide-viewing even more memorable was an unexpected serenade. Musicians from the Jiaxing Dachao Philharmonic Orchestra performed the classic melody "Wishing We Last Forever." With the river breeze, the bright moon, and the approaching tide, the scene became a romantic backdrop for couples and families alike.

An additional touch to the atmosphere was a luminous boat parade sailing not far from the shore. Four themed flower boats, illuminated by elaborate lanterns, glided along the water in a storytelling performance that blended traditional craft with modern narratives, captivating audiences, especially the younger ones.

Then came the main event. Before the tide galloped in sight, its distant roar gradually grew louder, arousing anticipation among the crowd. As the tidal bore swept through the viewing area, beams of light projected onto the water, transforming the dark surges into a shimmering, moving painting.

Under the same moon, beside the same river, countless strangers stood together -- watching, waiting, and sharing the timeless beauty of the Qiantang tide on the Mid-Autumn Festival night.

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

Moon, music, tides charm spectators along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival night

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media