Qintong Boat Festival set to launch in Taizhou city

The 16th China Wetland Ecological Tourism Festival and the 2023 China Taizhou Jiangyan Qintong Boat Festival will take place on March 1 in Jiangyan district – located in East China's Jiangsu province – according to local authorities.

The festival, which runs to June 30, will stage customs, trade, health and cultural events and colorful activities such as an appreciation of camellia flowers, water sightseeing and women's Go contests.

Originating in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), the Qintong Boat Festival was established as a ceremony to commemorate war victims around the time of the Qingming Festival. As such, the tradition is well preserved and promoted, offering an exhilarating view of hundreds of boats.

Sailors hold on to their oars and try their best to get to the finish line. [Photo provided to etaizhou.gov.cn]

It was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008 and was recognized as the largest boat event by the Shanghai Great World Guinness Headquarters in 2009.

In Qintong ancient town, Jiangyan district has created a precinct featuring leisure, experiences and health. It has been selected as one of the first 13 tourist towns in Jiangsu province and has raised its profile for boating.