'Snake boat' returns to SW China's Yujiang River after 30 years

"Snake boat," a traditional wooden boat reappeared on Sunday on Yujiang River in Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality after being abandoned for 30 years. 　

Operated by skilled boatmen, a snake boat was sailing like a water snake undulating in the water. 　

The origin of Yujiang "snake boat" is closely related to the local salt and cinnabar industry. Yujiang "snake boat" is an epitome of China's inland river wooden boat building technology.

Nowadays, "snake boat" manufacturing and shipping skills have been facing extinction. Pengshui County seeks to register the skills as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. 　

Originating in Lichuan, the Yujiang River flows into the Wujiang River in Chongqing. The river basin features not only rich natural views but also historical and cultural resources such as diaojiaolou, the suspended wooden houses created by the ethnic Tujia and Miao people.