Ancient Chinese sailing marvel celebrates Chinese New Year in Singapore
By HU MEIDONG and CHEN MEILING | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-02-26 11:23
Funing, the world's largest replica of an ancient Fujian ship, recently arrived in Singapore to celebrate the Chinese New Year with locals.
The "Fujian ship" is a type of ancient Chinese sailing ship. It has a pointed front and a wide rear, and both ends are upturned.
This wooden three-masted sailing ship replica featured in relevant cultural exchange activities to showcase the maritime cultural heritage of Fujian province.
The ship measures 41.6 meters in length, 12 meters in width, and has a main mast height of 28 meters.
It was made by artisans in Zhangwan town of Ningde city of Fujian province over two years and completed in February 2019.
The ship's hull is constructed entirely of solid wood and follows the ancient Chinese watertight bulkhead Fujian ship manufacturing process.
Zhangwan town has a history of over 600 years in making the Fujian ship. In 2010, the technique was included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
In recent years, local authorities have constructed Fujian ship model displays, produced related documentaries and built an exhibition center and training institute.