Introduction  Most of the nuclear power plants under construction and operation in China are coastal sites. According to the previous observation data and analysis, storm surge is the dominant condition in flood control design. There are few research results on tsunami, and there is a lack of engineering experience in the protection methods of structures against tsunami. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the impact of the tsunami on the safety of nuclear power plants has been widely concerned by nuclear safety supervision, nuclear power practitioners and the public. In China, the tsunami protection level of nuclear power plants in operation has also been reviewed.

  Method  Based on the characteristics of tsunami and taking a nuclear power plant in coastal China as an example, this paper carried out the tsunami protection review of nuclear power plant through the physical model test research of tsunami wave.

  Result  The model test results show that under the action of tsunami wave, the level elevation of coastal nuclear power plants built in China is adequate for offshore tsunami protection.

  Conclusion  Combining with the existing flood control measures in the sea area, further consideration should be given to the protection against possible earthquake and tsunami in Manila and Ryukyu trenches in order to increase the safety margin in the design of the subsequent newly built coastal nuclear power plant in the light of site conditions.