High waves galloped forward as the Qiantang River tidal bores smashed dams in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday, presenting thrilling and gorgeous scenes that stunned countless onlookers.
Prime viewing season falls on the 18th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is Thursday this year, allowing crowds of holidaymakers to gather alongside the river.
In Huangwan Town, Haining City, the tides were seen approaching and reaching the Tashan Dam, the earliest dam built on the Qiantang River, with a history of over 200 years.
The Tashan Dam is a T-shaped embankment that spans over 600 meters. As the first long T-shaped dam on the Qiantang River, it is where the tidal bores begin to show their most impressive display.
Many T-shaped barriers are dotted on the banks of the river to reduce the massive force of the bores and protect nearby villages and farmlands.
The bores are a natural phenomenon caused by the gravitational pull from the Moon. For centuries, this natural wonder has amazed crowds, standing as a vivid testament to nature's untamable power.
Haining's Yanguan Town is famous for its line-shaped tides. On Thursday, a distant murmur built into a deafening roar as a bore swept through the 39-meter-tall Zhan'ao Pagoda on the Qiantang River bank.
The T-shaped Laoyancang Dam, located 12 kilometers west of Guanxi Town in Haining, is another popular site to witness this majestic scene.
The dam, measuring nine meters in height and 650 meters in length, offers crowds of visitors a view of back-flow bore tides and soaring tides.
The Qiantang River is known for the world's largest tidal bores, featuring four common types of the phenomenon: criss-cross, one-line, back-flow, and fish-scale bores.
Aerial footage captures spectacular tidal bores on Qiantang River
Hong Kong is experiencing a surge of visitors from the Chinese mainland for the 15th National Games, highlighting the potential of the collaborated development of sports and tourism sectors.
Jointly hosted by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR from Nov 9 to 21, this year's Games marks the first time to stage competitions across all the three regions of the Greater Bay Area, a pioneering step in regional cooperation.
Many visiting spectators have chosen to turn their trip into a sports-themed vacation.
"I am from Qingdao and visited Hong Kong during the National Games. The city feels even more lively during the event. The services are thoughtful, and I'm having an exceptional experience," said a tourist from north China.
"This is my first time in Hong Kong. I came specifically for the National Games to cheer for the athletes," said a young girl.
"I am from Liaoning and came to experience the National Games' vibrant sports atmosphere. The overall experience has been outstanding," shared a tourist, who brought his young child to feel the unique atmosphere in the city.
Observers said that the 15th National Games is proving the value of the "sports plus tourism" development model, which generates fresh momentum for integration across the Greater Bay Area.
"Recently, we have welcomed a surge of tourists in Hong Kong, with bustling streets reflecting the city's vibrancy. The successful hosting of the National Games has not only shown Hong Kong's capabilities to manage large-scale events, but also reinforced its status as an international events hub. This sets a good foundation for attracting more premier sports events to this city in the future. The National Games has inspired the tourism sector, amplifying the synergy of 'sports plus tourism' and created more cooperation opportunity for the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area," said Tsoi Wing-sing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
"This National Games is the first major sports event co-hosted by the three places, signifying a new phase of regional integrated development. As a Hong Kong resident, I am deeply grateful to the Central Government for granting Hong Kong the chance to participate in this landmark event," said Charles Ng Wang-wai, also a member of the CPPCC National Committee.
Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games
