Traditional flower boats ignite nighttime economy

The traditional flower boat parade, a cherished folk custom in Bacao, Longgang city, has been a local calling card, drawing crowds of residents and tourists and transforming the tradition into an engine of economic growth.

A decorated flower boat cruises on the Dongkuei River in Bacao, Longgang city. [Photo/China.org.cn]

As decorated boats cruise down the waterways, open-air food stalls along the riverbanks have enjoyed a surge in patrons. The influx of visitors has not only heightened the festive atmosphere but also provided a boost to the area's nighttime economy.

At dusk along the banks of the Dongkuei River in Bacao, an open-air food stall run by local resident Lin Fuqian has been operating at near-capacity, pulling in a revenue of 10,000 to 20,000 yuan ($1,380 to $2,760) every evening.

The stall specializes in locally farmed seafood. Due to a severe shortage of hands to manage the crowds, Lin had to call in a dozen relatives and friends to help and kept busy from 5 p.m. until deep into the night. Among the menu items, locally bred mud crabs, yellow croakers, and various shellfish have become major hits with tourists.

"Our daily customer flow has stabilized at 150 to 200 people," Lin said. "The key to our success is the absolute freshness of the ingredients, which gives everyone a taste of an authentic fishing village."