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No grand-looking in the world but the Qiantang River Tide on August 18th."
The extraordinary surging tide of the Qiantang River is a world-renowned
natural wonder caused by the gravitation of the celestial body, the centrifugal
force produced by the rotation of the earth and by the peculiar bottleneck
shape of the Hangzhou Bay.
To the east of Zheshan Hill on the south bank of Qiantang River, there are about
500,000 mu reclaimed-land like a peninsula to keep off the river mouth, so as to
make from the hill to the outside 12th section like a large-sized bottle with a small
mouth. It is easy for the tide to come, but difficult to ebb. Hangzhou Bay\'s width
is over 100km, but up to the outside 12th section is narrowed only several kilometers.
However, the river east part of the riverbed is sharply raised. In this way, it becomes
the riverbed high and water a little. As a great quantity from the Qiantang River mouth
is reaching, the tide cannot be raised equally due to narrowed-down river area. Then, it is
forced rear tides pushing front tides while the front tide is not fast enough, thus, one upon
another, forming the most magnificent natural phenomenon in the world.
On the 18th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, hundreds and thousands
of tourists from both abroad and at home would come here to watch Qiantang Tide.
A scholar in the history wrote: "The Tide comes in a little drum voice just like a silk
thread across the River at far-viewing while reaches nearby in thunder just like mountains."
People have been keeping the tradition of watching the Qiantang Bore since the Tang dynasty.
During the Southern Song dynasty, the tradition was observed in an unparalleled way.
On August 18 in the lunar calendar, the court arranged marine inspection ceremony while
tide-watching and tide-teasing is going on. This date is said to be the birthday of the god
of waves. With the lapse of time, the tradition of tide-watching becomes a grand occasion.
And the local people organize various kinds of festivals to celebrate it. When a tide-watching
festival arrives, people come from all over the country and the world at large to watch the
wonderful natural wonder. Yanguan Town in Haining is the most famous site for watching
the Qiantang Bore and in recent years, Xiaoshan in Hangzhou comes to be regarded as
another ideal place to witness the world wonder.
Qiantang Tidal Bore is very dangerous and if you are not careful enough. So you should obey
the order and arrangement of the policemen who try everything to ensure your pleasant
watching and your personal security.
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