Qiantang River

Qiantang River
Qiantang River Bridge
Simplified Chinese	钱塘江
Traditional Chinese	錢塘江
Postal	Chientang River
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Qiántáng Jiāng Wade–Giles Ch'ien2-t'ang2 Chiang1 Wu Romanization Chi-dhon kaon

The Liuhe Pagoda built in 1165 on the Yuelun Hill in Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty faces the Qiantang River.

The Qiantang River (Chinese: 钱塘江) or Qian River is an East Chinese river that originates in the border region of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces. Its upper stretch is called the Xin'an River, and the middle stretch the Fuchun River (富春). An important commercial artery, it runs for 459 kilometers (285 mi) through Zhejiang, passing through the provincial capital Hangzhou before flowing into the East China Sea via Hangzhou Bay. The river was the southern terminus of the ancient Grand Canal that links five major rivers in China from north to south, and enables water-borne traffic to travel inland from Hangzhou as far north as Beijing.

The Qiantang was historically known as the Zhe River or Zhejiang, which gives the name to the province.

Tidal bore

King Qian Shooting the Tidal Wave http://www.travelwestlake.com/en/binjiang

Tidal bore at the Qiantang River

The river and the Hangzhou Bay are known for the world's largest tidal bore. The oldest known tide table (AD 1056) is for the Qiantang River and may have aided ancient tourists wishing to see the famous tidal bore. The tide rushing into the river mouth from the bay causes a bore which can reach up to 9 metres (30 ft) in height, and travel at up to 40 km per hour (25 miles an hour). Known locally as the Silver (or Black) Dragon, the wave sweeps past Hangzhou, menacing shipping in the harbor.

Recent events

In August 2013, the tidal bore turned out stronger than expected due to Typhoon Trami, reaching more than twice its usual height as it broke on the flood barrier, sweeping it and injuring numerous spectators.

There have been attempts to surf the tidal bore. The previous record was 11 seconds. In September 2008 a group of American surfers convinced the Chinese government to allow them to surf a section of the river.

In November 2013 the first surf competition was held by Red Bull call the Qiantang Shoot Out and considered the most unusual wave in the world for a surfing contest.

Tributaries

• Puyang River

References

• " A Visit to the Hangchow Bore I" Popular Science Monthly Volume 72 Wikisource February 1908 ISSN 0161-7370 
• " A Visit to the Hangchow Bore II" Popular Science Monthly Volume 72 Wikisource March 1908 ISSN 0161-7370