Qiantang River & City Balcony

钱江新城·城市阳台

'The Qiantang tide on the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month is unmatched under heaven.' From the City Balcony in Qianjiang New City, visitors can watch the Qiantang tidal bore and the light show at the Olympic Sports Center across the river, a modern face of Hangzhou.

The Qiantang tidal bore is one of the world's three great tidal bores. It forms because of the funnel-shaped shape of Hangzhou Bay and the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. The tide is strongest around the eighteenth day of the eighth lunar month, usually a few days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the bore can reach 3 to 5 meters. The best viewing sites are Yanguan in Haining, which has the first wave and requires a ticket and an early reservation (take a high-speed train from Hangzhou East to Haining West, about 20 minutes), and Laocang, where the reverse tide can be seen. Within Hangzhou city, the tide can be watched from embankments such as the City Balcony in Qianjiang New City, Qibao and Sanbao. These sites are smaller but free and convenient. The tide reaches the city about one to two hours after Yanguan. Check the tide forecasts published by 'Hangzhou Hydrology'. The City Balcony sits at the core of Qianjiang New City, a viewing platform that extends over the river. It is linked to the Citizen Center, the Hangzhou Grand Theatre and the 'Sun and Moon Together' buildings. Across the river are the Olympic Sports Center, known as the 'Big Lotus', and high-rises along the waterfront. Every weekend and holiday evening (around 19:30 and 20:30), a free light show in Qianjiang New City lights up the buildings along the skyline in sync. It is among Hangzhou's most spectacular city night views and a new landmark since the Asian Games. Nearby, visitors can explore the Hangzhou Grand Theatre, the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall at the Citizen Center, and the Raffles City and Wanxiang shopping districts. Getting there: walk about 10 minutes from Jiangjin Road Station or Citizen Center Station on Metro Line 4. Safety tip: the tidal bore moves extremely fast, and in past years people have been swept away after approaching the embankment. Always watch from behind the railings and do not go down onto the riverbank or the T-shaped dams. On tide days the embankments are crowded, so arrive one to two hours early.

Qiantang River & City Balcony

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