| 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. Huge tides occur between the first and fifth day and between the Isth and Igth day of each lunar month. When the bores surge into the river with the momentum of an avalanche, it creates a magnificent and breath-taking scene. At one time, the difference of the tidal wave reached g meters high. On August I8 of the lunar calendar year, the traditional tide-watching day, people throng to the Qiantang River to watch the wonder. Watching the bores at the Qiantang River has a history of over 2000 years. At Yanguan Town, the watching site, people can also get a glimpse into the traditional Chinese culture by visiting many historical structures such as the Sea-Pacifying Pagoda, the Temple of the Ocean God, Zhongshan Pavilion and the residences of Chen Yuanlong, a famous Qing Dynasty prime minister and Wang Guowei, a noted scholar of the Qing Dynasty. |
