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Hangzhou Bay
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Hangzhou Bay is a funnel-shaped inlet of the East China Sea, bordered by Zhejiang Province and the municipality of Shanghai. It is internationally famous for the Qiantang River tidal bore, a natural phenomenon where a wall of water up to 9 meters high rushes upstream during high tide. The bay serves as a vital economic artery within the Yangtze River Delta, one of China's most productive industrial regions. The completion of the 36-kilometer-long Hangzhou Bay Bridge in 2008 significantly improved regional logistics by cutting travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo. Geographically, the bay is characterized by shallow waters and extensive tidal flats formed by heavy sedimentation from the Yangtze and Qiantang rivers. Historically, the area has been a maritime gateway for centuries, supporting ancient trade routes and traditional fishing industries. Modern development has transformed the coastline into a dense cluster of industrial parks and high-tech zones, making it a cornerstone of Eastern China's contemporary economic infrastructure.
- Location: China
- Nearby: Dingqiao (41 km)
📋 Practical info
Getting there
Exceptionally well-connected and easily accessible by major coastal highways and extensive high-speed rail networks directly linking the massive municipalities of Shanghai and Zhejiang province.
Best season
The autumn season is spectacularly popular and overwhelmingly crowded, specifically timed by visitors hoping to witness the massive, globally famous Qiantang River tidal bore phenomenon at its absolute peak.
Terrain & paths
The vast geography encompasses wide coastal mudflats, expansive modern architectural bridges crossing the water, and heavily developed concrete seawalls that solidly line the edges of the massive bay area.
What to bring
Casual, comfortable sightseeing attire, reliable walking shoes designed for long stretches on paved promenades, and a good camera equipped with a decent zoom lens to capture distant maritime activities.
Parking
Vast, highly organized commercial parking facilities are readily available at all key tourist viewing spots, major coastal parks, and the large designated service areas along the incredible cross-sea bridge.
Safety
It is absolutely critical to always stay strictly behind all designated safety barriers during the tidal bore events, as the incoming wave is immensely powerful, extremely fast, and highly unpredictable.
Time needed
Viewing the actual tidal bore only takes a few thrilling hours of waiting, though simply traversing the immense bay bridge via vehicle serves as a shorter, yet visually spectacular transit experience.
Geography
Facts
- The Hangzhou Bay Bridge is 36 km long and was opened to the public in May 2008.
- The Qiantang River tidal bore can travel at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.
- The bay's average water depth is between 8 and 10 meters due to heavy silting.
- The Zhoushan Archipelago at the bay's entrance is the largest in China.
- The maximum height of the tidal bore recorded at the river mouth is about 9 meters.
- The bay connects the major port cities of Shanghai, Ningbo, and Jiaxing.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hangzhou Bay located?
On the east coast of China, between the metropolises of Shanghai and Ningbo.
What is the Qiantang tidal bore?
A spectacular natural phenomenon where a huge tidal wave pushes up the Qiantang River.
Is there a bridge over the bay?
Yes, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge is one of the world's longest trans-oceanic bridges (approx. 36 km).
Is the bay navigable?
Yes, but the strong tides and shallow waters make navigation challenging.
What can you visit along the coast?
Besides the bridge, the tidal bore viewing points near Haining are very popular.
Hangzhou Bay: where is it located?
Hangzhou Bay is located in China.
Hangzhou Bay: why is it worth visiting?
Hangzhou Bay is a funnel-shaped inlet of the East China Sea, bordered by Zhejiang Province and the municipality of Shanghai.
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