Qintong Boat Festival revives ancient traditions in Jiangyan's Qingming celebrations

The Qintong Boat Festival has returned to Jiangyan district in Taizhou, East China's Jiangsu Province. Held each year during the Qingming Festival, the event blends boat races, temple fairs, and ancestral tributes. This national intangible cultural heritage celebration also honours General Yue Fei, a legendary Southern Song Dynasty commander. The festival takes place in April, coinciding with Qingming, a time when families honour ancestors. Many gather by Qinhu Lake, where the rippling waters symbolise their longing for departed loved ones. Boats in the races carry incense burners at the bow, offering fragrance to ancestors during the temple fair.

For nearly four decades, craftsman Wang Zhengxiang has handmade the wooden poles used in the races. He sees them as the backbone of the local community, representing their deep roots. Meanwhile, Li Kai, a teacher from Yuduo town, has competed in the festival for three straight years. His team trains for over a month to prepare for the demanding races. The Qintong Boat Festival is part of a broader tradition tied to China's Twenty-Four Solar Terms. This ancient system, based on the sun's movement, was recognised by UNESCO in 2016 as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage. The Qingming Festival itself, meaning 'clear and bright,' marks one of these solar terms.

The festival continues to unite the community through tradition, sport, and remembrance. Boats glide across Qinhu Lake as participants honour both General Yue Fei and their own ancestors. The event remains a living link to China's cultural past, celebrated each year with skill and reverence.