Thousands Flock to See China's Annual Tidal Bore

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese gathered on Tuesday the 6th to watch a huge tidal wave of water rolling up the Qiantang River in eastern China.

An estimated 600,000 people lined the lower stretches of the Qiantang in Zhejiang Province to see the natural phenomenon, which usually falls on the 18th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar.

The high tide, which hit around midday on Tuesday, comes annually just after the Mid-autumn festival, which coincides with the full autumn moon.

An ancient Chinese legend says that the 18th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar is the birthday of the God of the Tide.

The size of waves is influenced by the temperature, the quantity of water, the position of the moon and the wind.

According to the Communist Party’s state run media, the "trumpet-shaped" mouth of the Qiantang River helps generate the waves, which can be as high as 11 feet, but this year reached about 6.5 feet.

Nonetheless one tourist said it was one of the best displays in recent years.

"This year the tide is very big. I'm very happy. I come every year and this year is the biggest."

Another had come all the way from Beijing to witness the phenomenon.

"It's great. We came from Beijing just to see the tide. We're really happy to see it."

According to one report on state media, surfers from ten different countries had also turned out to make the most of the waves.

But the tides are a mixed blessing for locals. Dozens have been killed by the waves in recent years, with one of the worst accidents claiming 19 lives in 1993.