It is of some limitations to analyse residual currents by means of the 25 h anchored current measurements. On the basis of the drift tracking and the mooring system data, here, analyses have been done aiming at the structural characteristics and the dynamical mechanisms of the frontal residual current field of the Hangzhou Bay. Especially a theoritical model is given focusing on the frontal density-driven currents. The results indicate that there exists obviously the upper-layer front-driven flow along the orientation of the front during neap tides in the research area of the Hangzhou Bay. But the flow is restrained by the strong vortical viscosity during spring tides. In the lower layer, the effect of the front is little and the subtidal movements are dominated by the tide-induced residual currents. In addition, the influences of wind forcing to the residual current field are also suggested to be important.