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Due to a strong cold air, Jiaxing's temperature has plummeted in recent days. On Dec 23, a natural wonder appeared in the Qiantang River's tidal flats in Huangwan town, Jiaxing - iced tidal trees.

"Tidal trees" are in fact not plants, but a peculiar phenomenon that can occur in intertidal zones. To form “tidal trees”, two conditions need to be met: one is the soft and erodible texture of the tidal flat, which has high sediment content, and the other is external water power.

The tidal effect brings and washes away the sediment, forming the trunk of a "tidal tree". Lateral and upstream erosion make the "tidal tree" grow branches, creating a "giant tree".

The river near Jiashao Bridge and Tashan Dam turned into a white ice sheet, forming a rare frozen tidal tree.

This phenomenon is very brief. As the sun rises and the temperature rises, the ice melts quickly. If the tide rises and the water gets warmer, the ice melts faster and the ice-limited tidal trees vanish sooner.

An aerial view of tidal trees in the Qiantang River's tidal flats in Huangwan town, Jiaxing. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]

An aerial view of a giant tidal tree in the Qiantang River's tidal flats in Huangwan town, Jiaxing. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]

An aerial view of tidal trees under the sunrise in the Qiantang River's tidal flats in Huangwan town, Jiaxing. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]