Over 500 vibrantly decorated boats and 10,000 participants converged at Qinhu National Wetland Park in Taizhou this week for the 2025 Qintong Boat Festival, a dynamic showcase of Jiangsu Province's cultural legacy. Crowds cheered as rowers navigated intricate waterways during the Qingming Festival event, which traces its origins to commemorations for ancient soldiers.
The festival highlights China's maritime traditions while fostering cultural exchange through folk performances and local cuisine stalls. Organizers noted a 20% increase in international visitors compared to previous years, including photographers documenting the synchronized rowing techniques unique to the Yangtze River Delta region.
As dusk fell, illuminated boats created patterns mirroring historical battle formations, blending ceremonial reverence with modern spectacle. Cultural experts emphasize the festival's growing role in preserving Jiangsu's intangible heritage while attracting tourism to the wetland ecosystem.
