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Gaogan boats, also known as benchmark boats and commonly known as "silkworm flower boats," are boats used in the mulberry and silkworm farming areas of Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons. Performers perform on top of the poles, a traditional Han folk cultural activity. In the center of the large boat, moored on the river, sits a giant stone mortar with a large bamboo stick inserted into it. When performers climb onto the bamboo pole, it bends into a 90-degree hook. Performers typically wear white clothing, symbolizing the image of silkworms. The performances include movements like a golden monkey gazing at the moon, a pigeon flipping over, an inverted dragonfly, and a single-arm hanging stand.
Attraction Location: Wuzhen Water Town (乌镇), Tongxiang City (桐乡市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), China
History: Tall-pole boats (高竿船) are a traditional water transport method in Wuzhen, dating back hundreds of years. They were historically used for fishing, transporting goods, and navigating the canals. The long poles allowed boats to be pushed along shallow waterways and maneuvered under low bridges.
Architecture: The boats are wooden, narrow, and long, with a single tall pole for propulsion. They reflect classic Jiangnan craftsmanship with simple, functional design and elegant proportions suitable for canal waters.
Cultural Value: The tall-pole boats are an iconic symbol of Wuzhen’s waterway culture and Jiangnan life. They showcase traditional boat-making techniques and local waterway transport heritage. Today, they are often used for sightseeing tours to preserve and present cultural history.
Other Information: Demonstrations often include traditional rowing techniques and explanations about life along the canals, making it both educational and scenic for visitors.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, daily
Ticket Price:
Short scenic ride: ¥50 per person
Extended boat tour: ¥120–¥200 per person depending on route
Best Photo Spots:
On the boat under stone bridges
Along canal banks lined with traditional houses
During early morning mist or sunset reflections
Time Reference: 30 minutes – 1.5 hours depending on boat ride length
Other Information: Early morning rides offer quieter canals and better photo opportunities. Evening rides may include lantern-lit canals for scenic nighttime views.
It is right next to the Fengyuan Double Bridge. You can see it not far from Dongzha. It is also one of the major features of Dongzha.
I really admire the actors, the performance is very difficult! It is a unique performance!
It was noon when we went there, so we didn't see any performances.
I went there at noon and didn't see any performances.
There are performance boats with Jiangnan characteristics in both the East and West Scenic Areas of Wuzhen.
This scenic spot embodies the characteristics of the water town. It is called a scenic spot, but it is actually a boat with a long bamboo pole on it, where talented people in the water town perform acrobatics. At the entrance of Wuzhen Dongzha Scenic Area, turn left and you will see it not far away.
There are two high pole boat shows in Caishen Bay a day, one at 10:30 in the morning and one at 14:30 in the afternoon. Each show lasts ten minutes. You may want to time it to watch the show.
The high-pole boat is a traditional folk performance: a bamboo pole is placed on the boat, and the performers climb to the top and perform actions such as a monkey catching the moon. The sericulture industry is well developed in the Jiangnan region, and this performance boat is also a way to pray for the development of the sericulture industry in the Jiangnan region.
The Gaogan Boat Ride is located near the entrance to the Dongzha Scenic Area. In the past, it was a ritual for silkworm farmers to pray for a good harvest. Weather permitting, performances are usually held at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
It is best to take a boat tour of Xizha at night. There are many attractions in it. It feels average after walking around.
I happened to catch it when I passed by. It was a very dangerous but breathtaking performance. I was always worried that the bamboo would break and my heart was hanging in the air from beginning to end.
I happened to catch it when I passed by. It was a very dangerous but breathtaking performance. I was always worried that the bamboo would break and my heart was hanging in the air from beginning to end.
The high-pole boat, a national intangible cultural heritage, is performed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Originally a ritual celebrating the silkworm harvest, it has now become a popular tourist attraction. During the performance, skilled boatmen perform many difficult maneuvers on the high poles within the boat, with no visible protective measures. Watching the performance is both admiring and courageous, yet also a source of concern for the performers.
It's a beautiful place. Every place in Wuzhen is a tourist attraction.
It's a beautiful place. Every place in Wuzhen is a tourist attraction.
It's a special attraction and worth a visit. You don't need to stay for a long time.
I heard that it is a silkworm used for performances that climbs up the pole and does various actions.
I especially like to sit on the boat and look at the houses twice, as if I have returned to that time.
It feels like fishing, but it has a great reputation.
We went there at night and there were so many people waiting for the bus that a thief stole the DSLR camera of someone we were traveling with.
I was in Wuzhen from July 21 to 23, 2017. Unfortunately, there was no such performance during this period because it was cancelled due to the high temperature. I don’t know when it will be available, but it is not popular in hot weather.
Dongzha's most iconic attraction is located in Caishen Bay, very close to the ancient theater.
It was said that there was a performance, but the timing was awkward and I didn’t see it.
It's just a boat, but it's nice to listen to the tour guide tell stories about it.
Located in the God of Wealth Bay in Dongzha, Wuzhen, the Gaogan boat is a boat used in the Wuzhen area to pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons. Performers perform on the poles, imitating silkworms and performing various difficult movements. This local folk acrobatic performance has been performed annually during the Qing Dynasty, and the Gaogan boat technique has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons". Artists can perform on the top of the pole. It is a traditional folk cultural activity of the Han nationality.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons". Artists can perform on the top of the pole. It is a traditional folk cultural activity of the Han nationality.
I haven't used it, but I still think it's very unique.
Wuzhen's local specialty, the Gaogan boat, is parked at Caishen Bay. If you're lucky, you might even get to see a Gaogan boat performance. There's a Gaogan boat show at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
There are high pole performances at regular intervals, but unfortunately I missed them.
Gaogan boat is also known as benchmark boat, commonly known as "silkworm boat", which is a boat used in the mulberry and silkworm breeding areas of Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons".
The scene is thrilling and has a touch of folk flavor. It's a good choice to watch it while eating snacks opposite.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons". Artists can perform on the top of the pole. It is a traditional folk cultural activity of the Han nationality.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons". Artists can perform on the top of the pole. It is a traditional folk cultural activity of the Han nationality.
Not far from the entrance of the scenic area, I didn't catch the performance that day.
Due to time constraints and my lack of desire to see the show, I just passed by and didn't watch the performance.
We were rushing to Mu Xin's former residence that day, so we decided to dine at Fengyuan Restaurant. Since we had made an online reservation in advance, the high-pole boat show was at 2:30 p.m. If you'd like, you can arrange a window seat to enjoy the show.
Overall: OK~
Views: It's not really a scenic view. It's just an acrobatic performance in Dongzha. Well, you could say it foreshadows a good harvest and good weather for the coming year. That's about it.
Local: Pay attention to the viewing time, it seems to be once at 10 am and once at 2 pm.
Services: It is located in the Dongzha scenic area. However, the service and management are inferior to those in Xizha.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat or the "silkworm boat," is a traditional Han folk culture activity used by people in the mulberry and silkworm-raising areas of Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons. Performers perform on top of the poles. Unfortunately, there were no performances today!
There is nothing special about it, it is just a high-pole boat that cannot be moved and is used to turn ordinary boats.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat or the "silkworm boat," is a traditional Han folk culture activity used by people in the mulberry and silkworm-raising areas of Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons. Performers perform on top of the poles. Unfortunately, there were no performances today!
A performance boat in the Dongzha Scenic Area of Wuzhen.
It was a coincidence when I went there, I happened to catch a performance, a very high bamboo pole, the performance is worth seeing
So many attractions are in Wuzhen. Wuzhen is a town, so why did the editor list it as a city like Suzhou Tongli Ancient Town?
It has the craftsmanship of Jiangnan water towns, reflecting folk customs and people's infinite wisdom.
It's a pity that I didn't see the performance. It started raining as soon as I entered Wuzhen.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons".
There is just a boat placed on the water's edge. I took a photo of myself here. The pole is very high. I can't remember how many meters it is. It's really interesting.
It was my first time seeing such a ship, and it was an eye-opener.
Inside the East Gate, very close to the entrance where you buy tickets, there are supposedly performances, but I haven't seen any. Wuzhen is a land of fish and rice, a home of silk, and it's a kind of harvest ceremony. I didn't take any pictures.
When I went to play, it was still under construction. I don't know how it is now.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons".
This activity first began during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Every year during the Qingming Festival, villagers take turns performing various difficult movements on high poles, all of which imitate the "shape" of silkworms spinning silk, expressing people's good wishes for a good harvest of silk cocoons.
There was a performance at this attraction, but unfortunately I went too late and missed it.
You take a boat from the entrance to the high-pole boat. The performance is scheduled and not available on a whim.
It says there will be boxer performances, but not every day.
As soon as we entered the Dongzha Scenic Area and walked to the right, we saw such a wonderful scene. It was so thrilling! I was so scared that the bamboo pole would suddenly break.
The place just entered the Dongzha Scenic Area is quite antique.
The high-pole boat, also known as the benchmark boat, commonly known as the "silkworm flower boat", is a boat used in the mulberry-growing and silkworm-raising areas around Wuzhen to pray for a good harvest of "silkworm cocoons". Artists can perform on the top of the pole. It is a traditional folk cultural activity of the Han nationality.
Let's go take a boat. It's very pleasant to take a boat in the town.
There were only boats, but no performances. Many programs in the scenic area have been suspended during this season. Things like shadow puppet shows are just for show.
Gaogan boats, also known as benchmark boats and commonly known as "canhua boats," are boats used in the mulberry and silkworm-raising areas of Wuzhen to pray for a bountiful harvest of silkworms. Performers perform on the top of a pole, a traditional Han folk cultural activity. This tradition began during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Every year during the Qingming Festival, villagers pool their resources to form a "gaopan boat" to pray for the arrival of "24 points of silkworm flowers." The boats perform a variety of challenging maneuvers: handstands on the pole tip, hands off the pole, lying on the pole alone, mid-air spins, etc., all mimicking the silkworms' spinning motions and expressing hopes for a bountiful harvest. The performers are exceptionally skilled and have profound skills. Two performances take place daily, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., near Caishen Bay and Fengyuan Shuangqiao. They are well worth a visit. Performers perform for approximately 10 minutes, demonstrating challenging techniques atop a high pole. This ancient Chinese art is one we hope will not be lost.
There's a high-pole boat show in Dongzha, but it was off-season when I went, and there weren't many tourists early in the morning, so I didn't get to see it. But then I saw on the news that a performer had fallen off the pole during a performance, which reminded me of the high risk nature of this show.
The high-pole boat was first performed during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It was mainly used during the Qingming Festival to celebrate the harvest of silkworm farmers and to express a kind of blessing, wish and worship. The young man performing the performance was really skilled and courageous, and he attracted rounds of applause.
It's very special. The boat is very scenic in the scenic area and it is very impressive. It seems that the high pole is about seven or eight meters, anyway, it is quite high.
There are many programs in Wuzhen. You must get an introduction when you arrive at the scenic spot. However, I feel that the map of Wuzhen is very general and there are too few actual things. The high-pole boat program is determined by the weather. But it is really drunk after 10 o'clock in the morning.
There is a scenic spot called Gaopiao Boat in Wuzhen. There is a tall pole on a big boat. Every Qingming Festival, villagers climb up the bamboo pole and perform the silk-spinning performance with difficult movements to pray for a good harvest and a happy life.
Not far from the entrance to the West Gate, this boat is quite conspicuous. A tall pole is stuck on a boat.
At the edge of the East Gate, there are people performing, but I didn't wait
The Gaogan Boat attraction is located in the Dongzha Scenic Area of Wuzhen. I arrived around 7:00 in the morning, and there were no tourists around. The reason I remember the Gaogan Boat so vividly is because of a funny photo I took (grass in my hair?).
It looks like a boat, but I don't know how it can become a tourist attraction. It is not far from the entrance of Dongzha.
Gaoganchuan (High Pole Boat) is a traditional folk performance in Wuzhen. Performers climb atop a bamboo pole and perform maneuvers like monkeys reaching for the moon, metaphorically depicting silkworms spinning silk cocoons to pray for a good harvest. I heard the performers are highly skilled and the show is truly spectacular. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it during my visit.
There will be some water boxing performances here from time to time
This, the scenery here is pretty good, the rest is very ordinary, Dongzha, if I remember correctly
I visit Wuzhen every year for a relaxing break, and I've been there no fewer than five times. I've stayed at waterfront guesthouses twice, but the overall value wasn't great. The rest of the time, I've stayed at Zhaoming Shushe, a very affordable hotel that usually requires booking a month in advance. It's a quiet and elegant retreat nestled in the city. The Shusheng mutton stall in the alleyway is absolutely amazing—a must-try in autumn and winter. I've visited all of Wuzhen's attractions more than a dozen times, most recently with my 50D and 1740 lens. Feel free to ask me any questions.
In terms of shape, it is quite special, a small boat.
Gaoganchuan (Gaoganchuan), also known as the benchmark boat and commonly known as the silkworm flower boat, is a traditional cultural activity in the mulberry and silkworm farming areas of Wuzhen, where people pray for a good harvest of silkworm cocoons. During the Qingming Festival (Qingming Festival), local farmers place a giant stone mortar in the center of a large boat and insert a large bamboo stick into it. Performers climb atop the bamboo and perform a variety of thrilling maneuvers. Locals refer to the bamboo as "silkworm flower bamboo." Performers wear white clothing, symbolizing the silkworms, and this custom continues to this day.