Three generations of artisans ride the waves on dragon boats
In Sanshui (三水), a district of Foshan city in Guangdong province, three generations of a family have been riding the waves for more than 15 years. The patriarch, Guan Qunsu, 65, is a second-generation builder of “dragon boats,” the watercraft traditionally raced on China’s Duanwu (“Dragon Boat”) Festival in June of each year; Guan’s father, Guan Dui, used to work at the local shipyard, but started his own factory with his son after he retired. Not long after, Guan Qunsu’s twin sons also joined the family business, which they named “Guan Yongqiang Factory” after the youngest son.
Sun Jiahui is a freelance writer and former editor at The World of Chinese. She writes about Chinese language, society and culture, and is especially passionate about sharing stories of China's ancient past with a wider audience. She has been writing for TWOC for over six years, and pens the Choice Chengyu column.
