Hangzhou bans age-old watching of tidal bore

Hangzhou has banned the centuries-old practice of watching the famous Qiantang River tidal bore at night after 12 tourists were washed away by a wave and drowned last week.

A circular issued by the city government in Zhejiang province said the nocturnal activity was now 'strictly forbidden'.

'Billboards must be erected along the Qiantang River to warn people about the danger of swimming in the river and playing on the bank,' Xinhua quoted the circular saying.

'All districts along the river must carry out thorough checks to identify dangerous sites. Barriers must be established around the sites and patrols should be reinforced.'

The accident happened on Thursday when at least 34 tourists were swimming at the mouth of the river. They were swept away by a wave and 12 of them, including a child, drowned. Authorities say the final death toll may be higher.

Watching the tidal bore, when waves from the sea rush upriver, has long been popular with city dwellers and visitors, and many Chinese poets have sung its praises.