Spectacular Chinese dragon-shaped patterns have been captured by a tide watcher along the Qiantang River in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Liu Mingyong, who is also a shutterbug, captured the amazing scenes after seven days of watching and waiting.

The natural formation of these patterns on the mudflats, often in the shape of trees, is a result of the rise and fall of the tides.

The Qiantang River is famous for having the largest tidal bore in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators every year.