Traditional Zhuhong wooden boats shine at Spring Festival Gala

A traditional wooden boat crafted by a company from Zhuhong town, Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, appears on stage at the Hefei venue of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]

A traditional wooden boat from Zhuhong town, Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, made a graceful appearance on stage during a performance at the Hefei venue of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

With its sleek and elegant design, the boat blended smoothly into the artistic setting, enhancing the performance with a vivid and lively accent.

The wooden vessel was crafted by Xingya Wooden Boat, which built dozens of traditional boats for Sanhe Ancient Town, a national 5A-level scenic area in Hefei, a decade ago. To this day, those boats continue to glide steadily across the waterways, keeping their classic charm and strength. In preparation for the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, Sanhe Ancient Town once again turned to Xingya at the end of last year, placing an urgent order for four new 10-meter wooden boats.

In response, Xingya swiftly assembled a team of 20 experienced craftsmen and launched a round-the-clock production effort. From material selection and plank splitting to hull assembly and caulking, the new boats followed traditional techniques using fir wood as the primary material and full tung oil immersion for protection. Every step adhered strictly to the standards of this intangible cultural heritage craft. The entire project was completed within just 20 days.

Notably, the team upgraded the new vessels with a dual-power system, enabling them to perform 360-degree turns in place — a modern improvement that upholds tradition while fulfilling today's performance needs.

Zhuhong's wooden boat, appearing on the national stage once again, demonstrated the enduring vitality of traditional craftsmanship, where heritage skills continue to evolve and find new expression in modern cultural displays.