The Qiantang River, formerly known as "Zhejiang," "Zhijiang," or "Luosha River," is the largest river in Zhejiang Province and the "mother river" of Hangzhou and the entire northern Zhejiang region. It is not merely a natural river, but a giant dragon carrying a rich history, brilliant culture, and world-renowned wonders. Its name, "Zhejiang," is also the origin of the province's name.
World Wonder: Qiantang River Tidal Bore
This is the most famous and breathtaking natural spectacle of the Qiantang River, hailed as the "Number One Tidal Bore in the World."
Formation Reasons: The formation of the Qiantang River tidal bore is a perfect combination of favorable weather and geographical conditions.
Astronomical Factors: From the 16th to the 18th of the eighth lunar month, the sun, moon, and earth are almost in a straight line, resulting in the strongest tidal force on the seawater.
Geographical Factors: The mouth of Hangzhou Bay is shaped like a giant funnel, wider at the outside and narrower at the inside. When the tide surges in, a large amount of water rushes into the narrow channel, rapidly accumulating energy and causing the water level to rise dramatically.
Underwater Sandbar: A sandbar formed by silt deposits on the riverbed acts like a threshold, further raising the tide level and creating the spectacular tidal bore.
The Peak Viewing Spectacle: Around the 18th of the eighth lunar month each year, the Qiantang River tidal bore reaches its most spectacular peak. The tide can reach heights of 3-5 meters and speeds exceeding 10 meters per second, resembling a stampede of thousands of horses, with waves crashing against the shore in a magnificent spectacle that attracts millions of tourists from home and abroad.
Famous tide-watching spots include: Yanguan Town in Haining (where you can see the first tidal bore), Laoyancang (where you can see the returning tide), and Meinu Dam in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou (also an excellent spot for viewing the returning tide).
Major Landscapes and Landmarks
**Qiantang River Bridge:** Located near the Liuhe Pagoda in Hangzhou, this double-deck railway and highway bridge was designed and built by renowned Chinese bridge expert Mao Yisheng. Completed in 1937, it symbolizes the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation and has become one of Hangzhou's iconic landmarks. Walking on the bridge offers a unique experience of watching trains rush by below and cars flow past.
**Liuhe Pagoda:** Located on Yue Lun Mountain on the banks of the Qiantang River, this famous ancient pagoda dates back to the Song Dynasty. Originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty to suppress the Qiantang River's tides, it offers panoramic views of the Qiantang River Bridge and the vast expanse of the river. A masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and a national key cultural relic protection unit, it is a must-see.
**City Balcony Light Show:**
Located in the core area of Qianjiang New City, the City Balcony is a huge viewing platform. From here, one can experience the vastness of the Qiantang River up close.
Light Show: Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening, dozens of skyscrapers along the Qiantang River in Qianjiang New City stage a magnificent themed light show. The lights and the river reflect each other, creating a stunning modern panorama, a must-see "Instagrammable" attraction for tourists visiting Hangzhou.
Wentao Road's "Most Beautiful Running Track": Along Wentao Road on the south bank of the Qiantang River (Binjiang District), a 17.4-kilometer-long synthetic running track has been built. The track is lined with lush trees and flowers blooming year-round. With the vast Qiantang River on one side and the modern cityscape on the other, it's an ideal place for citizens to run, walk, and cycle, and is hailed as Hangzhou's "most beautiful running track."
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
