A unique intangible cultural heritage (ICH) experience event featuring Zhujiajiao’s “fast rowing boat” recently took place in Qingpu District.

Locals gathered together to rediscover this water town tradition that has been passed down for more than 300 years, through demonstrations by an ICH representative inheritor, hands-on boat model modifications, and on-the-water experiences.

Zhujiajiao Town is home to 13 ICH items, including the “fast rowing boat” tradition. The fast rowing boat originated as a water race during the off-season of farming in the Dianshan Lake area in ancient times.

According to historical records, since the early Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty（1644-1911, local people would race along the Caogang River during temple fairs. The most distinctive feature is “chu qiao” — two crew members standing on a suspended plank in sync, squatting down hard and then bouncing up, using the force to propel the boat forward. This is the unique soul of Zhujiajiao’s fast rowing boat.

The event prepared a full-size wooden boat oar, which ICH representative inheritor Lu Xieming demonstrated and explained.

Residentssat in actual boats by the riverside next to the QingDynastyPost Office pier, traveling through the ancient town along this “water postal route” in front of the century-old post office.

During the hands-on session, participants modified wooden boat models and 3D-printed mini oars to create Zhujiajiao-style fast rowing boats.

“I grew up on the shore and always felt my hometown was heavy. But once on the water, my hometown feels lighter, as if it’s closer to me,” saida local participantYan Ran.