In a tradition's vanguard

Since the Qing Dynasty, a family of boatmakers has created new designs and found new production methods for their craft, but now modernity is endangering their art's survival

On a sweltering afternoon at Fangzhuang village, several workers are busy sawing wood and hammering long iron nails on large half-finished wooden dragon boats. The smell of wood, tung oil and sweat fills the shipyard, even as big electric fans disperses it.

Located at Nantong town, Fuzhou, Fujian province, the village is famous for its tradition of making dragon boats and attracts buyers from Fujian and other provinces before the Dragon Boat Festival on June 20. Villages in the province would organize dragon boat races and a good boat means a better opportunity to win.