The Bore Tides of the Qiantang River

For hundreds of years, on the eighth month of the lunar calendar, people have gathered along the shores of China’s Qiantang River at the head of Hangzhou Bay to witness the waves of its famous bore tide. Higher-than-normal high tides push into the harbor, funneling into the river, causing a broad wave that can reach up to 30 feet high. If the waves surge over the banks, spectators can be swept up, pushed along walkways or down embankments. Below, I’ve gathered images from the past few years of the Qiantang bore tides.

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

Most Recent

  • Emma McIntyre / Getty for Coachella

    Scenes From Coachella 2024

    Images of this year’s performances and concertgoers during the first weekend of Coachella 2024

  • Brittainy Newman / AP

    Photos of the Week: Solar Oasis, Leaf Spirit, Burning Judas

    The World Coal Carrying Championships in England, damage from an earthquake in Taiwan, a destroyed hospital in the Gaza Strip, a beekeeper at work in Ukraine, and much more

  • Gil Nartea / AFP / Getty

    A Tour Through Solar Eclipses of the Past

    Images from the recent (and not-so-recent) past of previous eclipses, seen around the world

  • Maryland National Guard / Reuters

    Photos of the Week: Snow Blooms, Giant Eggs, Dragon’s Teeth

    A wildfire in Venezuela, a deadly terrorist attack in Russia, a surf competition in Australia, Holy Week processions in Spain, a vast solar-power farm in Texas, and much more