However, these spectators unwittingly became part of the show when a huge tidal bore burst through a dam and spilled over the riverbank, sweeping scores of tourists off their feet.
One moment these bystanders stood transfixed at the banks of the Qiantang River in Haining, in east China's Zhejiang province, waiting to witness the natural phenomenon.
The next they were running for their lives as a huge wave came crashing towards them, engulfing the crowds while others looked on helplessly.
While there were no fatalities, more than 20 people weran annual tradition for residents nearby, attracting hundreds of visitors each year.
The astonishing natural phenomenon, which is an abrupt uprising of river water, happens when the moon's gravity influence tides from the sea, moving them upstream, resulting in the mesmerising bore.
More than 20 people were injured by the rogue wave, with many needing to be carried away for treatment.
Despite the authorities warning onlookers to stand back from the river bank, many fail to heed the advice and end up trying to out-run the wave when it heads towards them.
Bores only occur in a few locations throughout the world, usually in areas with a large tidal range and where incoming tides are funnelled into a shallow, narrowing lake or river.
China's Qiantang River boasts the largest bore, up nine metres - or 30 feet high - and travelling up to 25mph.
The annual event is becoming a bit of a headache for authorities, who each year tell spectators to keep their distance from the tidal surge.
But, each year, daredevils and unsuspecting spectators stray too close to the river's edge, erroneously thinking they can outrun the wall of water.
In September 2008 a group of American surfers convinced the Chinese government to allow them to surf a section of the river.
Personal watercraft were used to safely transport the surfers in and out of the tidal bore.
http://gistactivist.blogspot.com/2013/09/photos-hundreds-of-tourists-washed-away.html
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