River cruises by night are flavor of the holiday season

During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, many tourists in Fuzhou are opting for a unique cultural experience by dressing in traditional Chinese attire and embarking on night cruises along the Minjiang River, referred to as Fujian's "Mother River". These cruises offer stunning views of the full moon and the illuminated riverbanks.

The cruise ships are designed with local cultural elements, featuring architectural styles reminiscent of Fuzhou's renowned Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, as well as decorations like oil-paper umbrellas and jasmine flowers. During the 50-minute round trip, that costs 128 yuan ($18) for the diesel boat and 158 yuan for the electric boat, passengers can engage in activities such as reading ancient poetry and practicing calligraphy, with dedicated areas equipped with brushes and ink.

In recent years, the growing interest among young Chinese in traditional culture has prompted tourism operators to develop various culturally themed products. Romantic Chinese-style night tours have become a trend during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays.

Ye Minhui, deputy marketing manager of Fujian Bafang Maritime Passenger Transport Co, said that more young people are becoming interested in the cultural heritage of their country, partly due to China's increasing development and strength.

The cultural tourism industry is continuously exploring and integrating unique Chinese cultural elements, including intangible cultural heritage projects, into tourism experiences, making once-distant traditions accessible to the public, she said.

Ye observed that the traditional "Three Knives" hairpins are gaining popularity among tourists. This traditional women's hairpin, originating from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), symbolizes the spirit of protecting the nation, the family, and oneself. It is a cultural emblem of the balanced strength and grace of Fuzhou women.

It was included in Fuzhou's intangible cultural heritage list in 2024. Through cultural tourism integration, such as makeup experience, it has become a cultural symbol bridging tradition and modernity.

"Today's young travelers demand interactive experiences. They enjoy trying on traditional costumes and taking photos at various sites, so we offer a 10 percent discount on cruise tickets to those in traditional attire," Ye said.

National pride among tourists was further ignited during the National Day holiday, especially as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

On Oct 1, passengers on the night cruises along Minjiang River sang My Motherland and Me to celebrate the nation's birthday. Those who celebrated their birthday on that day had the added gift of getting the cruise at half price.

Ye said that there are also themed cruises that narrate the revolutionary history of the Minjiang River from about 80 years ago. Around 1945, after the victory in the war, a shipping company on the Minjiang River was controlled by the Kuomintang. The Communist Party of China underground members infiltrated the ships, assuming roles such as crew members, engineers and captains. They used the river to transport weapons and escort cadres, earning it the nickname "Underground Secret Route".

"The historical red and the modern city's technological blue complement each other. Tourists enjoy the past and also the present in Fuzhou to get to know the city's stories," she said.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day period, the Minjiang River cruises are expected to host around 10,500 tourists, with over 85 percent coming from outside the province, according to Ye.

Fuzhou has leveraged its ecological and water resources to create multiple cultural tourism activities during the holiday. At Jin'an Lake, dragon boat races, nightly water performances — including traditional music and dance — night markets and small lawn concerts are planned.

Huang Zhenhua, manager of the Fuzhou branch of Fuzhou Water Culture Tourism Co, expects Jin'an Lake to attract between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors during the National Day holiday, as young people enjoy both the excitement of dragon boat races and leisure activities like drinking tea.

Huang said that the lake's excellent ecology has led to the opening of several outdoor tea houses. Young people like to relax and camp on the lawns in good weather.

"Young generations face significant work pressure, and with more residential buildings, there are fewer large spaces for relaxation. Park construction now provides young people with places to unwind and take a breath," he added.

Chen Yu, director of the Fuzhou city bureau of culture and tourism, said at a press conference in September that various scenic spots across the city have prepared a wide array of activities, including traditional cultural heritage events, camping and leisure activities, and creative markets, with the aim of helping residents and tourists experience the festive atmosphere in Fuzhou.

The city is giving away 10,000 uniquely designed jasmine-themed creative mugs to all those arriving in Fuzhou from Sept 30 to Oct 8 by train, high-speed rail or plane and who can present their ticket at the must-see site, a love-shaped tree in Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Chen said.

Additionally, 10,000 Fuzhou cultural and tourism mystery boxes will be distributed through travel platforms. Participants in online activities have the chance to win prizes such as the experiences of the "Three Knives" hairpins, and Fuzhou fish ball-themed creative products, he said.

Yang Jie contributed to this story.