An infamous tidal bore surged down the Qiantang River in eastern China on Monday (local time), giving surfers a rare chance to ride for hundreds of metres on the bizarre natural phenomenon.
The Qiantang River tidal bore appears each year during the eighth month of the Lunar calendar. An incoming high tide forms a high wave that travels against the direction of the current as the river narrows.
Monday was China's Mid-Autumn festival – a time when people traditionally appreciate the moon, which is said to be at its largest and roundest.
A long tidal wave first appeared at the wide mouth of the estuary during the late morning. It slowly worked its way up river over several hours, state-run broadcaster CCTV reported.
Thousands of visitors normally crowd the banks of the river at Haining, Zhejiang province, to watch the waves.
However, this year authorities made the area off limits to the public after an unusually powerful tide caused a massive wave that crashed through a dam and injured 20 tourists two weeks ago.
Nevertheless, the surfers were undeterred and cruised along the wave for hundreds of metres.
The international surfers were preparing to take part in the Qiantang River International Surfing Competition. It will take place September 14-16, when the bores are set to reach their most dramatic.
3 News / Reuters