Villages in Haining City, east China's Zhejiang Province, are riding the wave of Qiantang River's tidal bore tourism, launching entertainment and leisure activities to attract visitors and boost local business.
The Qiantang River is known for the world's largest tidal bore. The tides usually reach their peak on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month.
Recently, Haining has seen an influx of tourists eager to witness the breathtaking sight of the peak tides. While many choose the traditional method of watching from the shore, Jianshan Village has introduced a thrilling alternative --paragliding.
"When the tide comes in, our tourist numbers surge, particularly from Shanghai and Hangzhou. During peak times, we can handle around 200 flights daily. It's not just our flying base that attracts more visitors; many nearby water activities also experience a surge in tourists," said Jiang Kai, a coach at the paraglider base.
In Jianshan Village, water sports such as motorboating and power surfing have become popular among adventure enthusiasts from surrounding areas.
"I drove an hour from Hangzhou just to experience this. It's incredibly thrilling and full of fun," said Jiang Xiaojie, a tourist.
In Haichao Village, located at one of the most popular tide-watching locations, a charming riverside cafe has emerged as a key attraction.
"It's very beautiful here. Sitting here puts me in a very relaxed state, and I feel so close to nature," said Zhao Mengyi, a tourist.
In addition, tourists can explore local farms and orchards, indulging in delicious regional cuisines after enjoying the spectacular tidal bores.
The tidal bore is mainly caused by the gravitational pull of the moon. 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.
Tidal bore tourism surges in east China city as villages launch leisure attractions
A large number of international guests have been drawn to Ninghai County in east China's Zhejiang Province, immersing themselves in the culture of its villages and enjoying warm welcomes from local people eager to share their traditional practices.
Recently, a traditional long-table banquet was held in the county's Qiantong Ancient Town, an exceptionally well-preserved town built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
Given the rising popularity of rural tourism in China, it was no surprise that the 300 tickets for the event sold out within a few minutes. However, local organizers had not expected the event to bring so many guests from overseas to the 200-meter-long table.
"I especially like the tall (long) table, it's actually a new experience for me," said an international visitor.
"The atmosphere here is lively and I really like it. The dishes arrived still hot, crispy and delicious," said another overseas guest.
Inspired by the stories of Xu Xiake, an explorer and travel writer from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), more than 100 overseas students also visited old villages in the county, where they learned traditional crafting techniques like paper cutting.
"I can experience traditional culture and I also like that in this village. There are some old traditional things," said an overseas student.
"This place is so beautiful, with many delicious foods," another student said.
The students also learned to make a kind of traditional dessert that symbolizes good wishes for longevity.
"It's my first time to see it. It's very interesting. I want to learn new things," said one of the students.
"I feel really amazed there, really happy. I was really enjoying this experience to do it," said another.
Local people were more than willing to share these ancient practices with young people from around the world.
"Through hands-on experience, our foreign friends can more easily understand our traditional culture. Our communication like this is more sincere and unforgettable," said Liang Lanlan, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
Traditional culture in east China county draws international guests
