Strangely shaped waves attract tourists on the Tien Duong River

China's Qiantang River is famous and attracts tourists thanks to its unique natural phenomenon: silver dragons and fish-scale tides.

The Qiantang River estuary in Zhejiang Province is famous for having the world's strongest tides (known locally as the Silver Dragon) which can reach heights of up to 9 meters. This area also regularly experiences large waves that travel upstream.

Since 2021, scientists have discovered another fascinating natural phenomenon that only occurs at this estuary. When certain conditions are met, the waves appear in spirals that resemble fish scales on the water surface. This phenomenon is called "fish scale tides", and it rarely occurs.

Strangely shaped waves on the Tien Duong River — Fish scale waves on the Qiantang River on October 1. Video : *CCTV*

This phenomenon has only been observed by scientists for a few years, so there is no exact and consistent explanation. Some experts believe that in areas with rotating currents, the tide does not move inland and then change direction back to the river as usual. Instead, the current can change direction while not changing speed, leading to waves that curve and collide at oblique angles, leading to the above phenomenon. Other experts believe that terrain and wind direction are the main factors that create fish scale tides.

However, whatever the exact conditions necessary for the formation of fish scale tides may be, one thing is certain: they are rare and a unique phenomenon that adds to the Qiantang River's appeal to tourists.

Fish-scale waves crash onto the shore of the Qiantang River. Photo: BNN — Fish-scale waves crash onto the shore of the Qiantang River. Photo: *BNN*

Before the fish scale tides were known, the Qiantang River estuary was a popular tourist destination in China. People came here to watch the majestic tides. Mid-August (lunar calendar) every year is the time when the Qiantang tides are at their largest and also the best time to watch the tides of the year. August 18 is usually the best day to watch the tides and is also known as the "Tide Watching Festival".

Tourists run to shore to avoid a large tidal wave while watching the tides on the Qiantang River. Photo: AFP — Tourists run to shore to avoid a large tidal wave while watching the tides on the Qiantang River. Photo: *AFP*

The tide-watching festival is considered an event that many tourists look forward to. Before the tide rises, observers often see a white light appear on the river surface in the distance. Then this white light expands and forms a straight silver line. The sound of waves from afar crashing onto the shore also begins to get louder and clearer, in the blink of an eye the white line appears right before the eyes of the onlookers and is 4-5 meters high. "The images and sounds stun the viewers both physically and mentally, creating an unprecedented sense of interesting sightseeing. The aftertaste it leaves is endless," said a tourist who participated in the experience of watching the Silver Dragon on the Tien Duong River.

The fish scale tide is rarer than the Silver Dragon. Therefore, visitors who come to see the tide in 2023 and see the fish scale tide are considered "extremely lucky".

Anh Minh (According to CCTV, iNews )

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