The tidal bore of the river, the largest of its kind in the world, experiences its highest waves during the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Under the combined effects of the gravitational forces and the rotation of the Earth, the tides rush to the funnel-shaped mouth of the waterway from Hangzhou Bay in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, and forms the majestic tidal bore wave, which can reach up to 9 meters high.

Renowned as the mighty silver dragon, the Qiantang River Tidal Bore is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists. The custom of watching the phenomenon was formed as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), and flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties (618–1279).