Maoshan fair in Taizhou city floats the boat of visitors

The Maoshan Boat Fair, a time-honored folk custom, took place on April 5 in Xinghua city – administered by the prefecture-level Taizhou city in East China's Jiangsu province – floating the boat of thousands of onlookers and competitors alike.

Spectators are excited at the sight of the brightly colored boats. [Photo by Zhou Shegen/js.people.com.cn]

The extravaganza saw about 300 boats assemble above the waterways of Maoshan and Diaoliang villages and the waterways of three other villages.

On the day, an estimated 5,000 competitors took part in the thrilling event, attracting a total of 20,000 onlookers.

According to a local folk customs expert, the Maoshan Boat Fair stretches back over 800 years to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

In 2014, the fair was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage event.