sailboat in chinese

Derived terms

• 船出 ( ふなで ) ( funade )
• 船荷 ( ふなに ) ( funani )
• 船乗 ( ふなの ) り ( funanori )
• 船便 ( ふなびん ) ( funabin )
• 船酔 ( ふなよ ) い ( funayoi )
• ^ Haga, Gōtarō ( 1914 ) 漢和大辞書 [ The Great Kanji-Japanese Dictionary ] (in Japanese), Fourth edition, Tōkyō : Kōbunsha, →DOI , page 1790 (paper), page 947 (digital)

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium . Particularly: “what is its historical reading?”)

船 ( eumhun 배 선 ( bae seon ) )

• hanja form ? of 선 ( “ ship ; boat ; vessel ” )
• Kun : ぷにー ( phunī , 船 )

Inherited from Proto-Ryukyuan *pune , from Proto-Japonic *punay .

• IPA ( key ) : /pʰuniː/

船 ( ぷにー ) ( phunī ) 

• Kun : ふに ( funi , 船 )
• IPA ( key ) : /fu̥ni/

船 ( ふに ) ( funi ) 

• Kun : ふに ( funi )
• IPA ( key ) : /ɸuni/

船 : Hán Nôm readings: thuyền

• Kun : んに ( nni , 船 )
• IPA ( key ) : /nni/

船 ( んに ) ( nni ) 

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• Pinyin Chart

Chinese English Pinyin Dictionary

• 客 船 kè chuán passenger ship Show Strokes

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• 船 体 Trad. 船 體 chuán tǐ hull body of a ship Show Strokes
• 划 船 huá chuán to row a boat rowing boat rowing (sport) Show Strokes
• 商 船 shāng chuán merchant ship Show Strokes
• 渡 船 dù chuán ferry
• 货 船 Trad. 貨 船 huò chuán cargo ship freighter Show Strokes
• 船 只 Trad. 船 隻 chuán zhī ship boat vessel Show Strokes
• 小 船 xiǎo chuán boat Show Strokes
• 造 船 zào chuán shipbuilding Show Strokes
• 飞 船 Trad. 飛 船 fēi chuán airship spaceship Show Strokes
• 船 厂 Trad. 船 廠 chuán chǎng shipyard shipbuilder's yard Show Strokes
• 航 船 háng chuán ship (e.g. providing regular passenger service)
• 船 舶 chuán bó shipping boats
• 汽 船 qì chuán steamboat steamship Show Strokes
• 水 涨 船 高 Trad. 水 漲 船 高 shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāo the tide rises, the boat floats (idiom); fig. to change with the overall trend to develop according to the situation
• 船 山 Chuán shān Chuanshan district of Suining city 遂寧市|遂宁市[Sui4 ning2 shi4], Sichuan Show Strokes
• 舰 船 Trad. 艦 船 jiàn chuán warship
• 船 闸 Trad. 船 閘 chuán zhá a canal lock
• 沉 船 chén chuán shipwreck sunken boat sinking ship
• 乘 船 chéng chuán to embark to travel by ship to ferry
• 船 票 chuán piào ship ticket Show Strokes
• 造 船 厂 Trad. 造 船 廠 zào chuán chǎng dockyard shipyard Show Strokes
• 巡 逻 船 Trad. 巡 邏 船 xún luó chuán patrol vessel cutter
• 宇 宙 飞 船 Trad. 宇 宙 飛 船 yǔ zhòu fēi chuán spacecraft
• 船 尾 chuán wěi back end of a ship aft
• 装 船 Trad. 裝 船 zhuāng chuán shipment Show Strokes
• 造 船 所 zào chuán suǒ shipyard Show Strokes
• 船 东 Trad. 船 東 chuán dōng ship owner Show Strokes
• 船 首 chuán shǒu ship's bow Show Strokes
• 船 舱 Trad. 船 艙 chuán cāng hold of ship
• 龙 船 Trad. 龍 船 lóng chuán dragon boat (used at 端午[Duan1 wu3], the Dragon Boat Festival)
• 租 船 zū chuán to charter a ship to take a vessel on rent Show Strokes
• 船 坞 Trad. 船 塢 chuán wù (maritime) dock
• 太 空 船 tài kōng chuán spaceship Show Strokes
• 运 输 船 Trad. 運 輸 船 yùn shū chuán transport ship
• 船 主 chuán zhǔ ship's captain owner of ship Show Strokes
• 贼 船 Trad. 賊 船 zéi chuán pirate ship fig. venture of dubious merit criminal gang reactionary faction
• 船 运 Trad. 船 運 chuán yùn sea freight shipping Show Strokes
• 木 船 mù chuán wooden boat Show Strokes

Browse Dictionary

• 舒庆春 | ShuQingchun | Shu Qing chun
• 舒气 | shuqi | shu qi
• 舒舒服服 | shushufufu | shu shu fu fu
• 舓 | shi | shi
• 舔屁股 | tianpigu | tian pi gu
• 馆 | guan | guan
• 舞动 | wudong | wu dong
• 舞场 | wuchang | wu chang
• 舞娘 | wuniang | wu niang
• 舞水端里 | Wushuiduanli | Wu shui duan li
• 舟山群岛 | ZhoushanQundao | Zhou shan Qun dao
• 船 | chuan | chuan
• 航厦 | hangsha | hang sha
• 航空邮简 | hangkongyoujian | hang kong you jian
• 航舰 | hangjian | hang jian
• 舭 | bi | bi
• 船到桥门自会直 | chuandaoqiaomenzihuizhi | chuan dao qiao men zi hui zhi
• 船到江心，补漏迟 | chuandaojiangxin,bulouchi | chuan dao jiang xin , bu lou chi
• 船到码头，车到站 | chuandaomatou,chedaozhan | chuan dao ma tou , che dao zhan
• 船尾座 | Chuanweizuo | Chuan wei zuo
• 船帆座 | Chuanfanzuo | Chuan fan zuo
• 船底座 | Chuandizuo | Chuan di zuo
• 船政大臣 | ChuanzhengDachen | Chuan zheng Da chen

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Translation of boat – English–Mandarin Chinese dictionary

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• The boat was swept out to sea by the tide .
• The boat sank almost immediately after it had struck the rock .
• The lifeboat rescued the sailors from the sinking boat.
• The fishing boats were out at sea for three days .
• In the harbour , the boats bobbed gently up and down on the water .

(Translation of boat from the Cambridge English-Chinese (Simplified) Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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Translations of boat.

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in an energetic and continuous way

Trial, judge, and jury: talking about what happens when a criminal is caught

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• Exploring the Timeless Elegance of Chinese Sails and Junk Rigged Sailboats

In the world of sailing, there exists a captivating blend of tradition and innovation. Among the many sailing techniques and designs, Chinese sails and junk rigged sailboats stand out as enduring symbols of maritime history and craftsmanship. This article delves into the fascinating world of Chinese sails, junk rig sailboats, and their association, offering insights into their design, history, and the allure of these timeless vessels.

The Beauty of Chinese Sails

Origins of chinese sails.

Chinese sails have a rich heritage dating back over a thousand years. They were first developed during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and have evolved significantly over time. These sails are renowned for their distinctive appearance, characterized by a concave, curved shape that allows them to harness the wind's power effectively.

The Unique Design

One of the key features of Chinese sails is their adaptability to various wind conditions. The curved shape of these sails enables sailors to adjust the sail area, making them versatile and efficient for both calm and strong winds.

Craftsmanship and Materials

Traditional Chinese sails are crafted with meticulous attention to detail. They are typically made from durable materials such as bamboo and silk, showcasing the craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

The Influence of Chinese Sails

The influence of Chinese sails has extended far beyond their place of origin. Sailors and shipbuilders around the world have drawn inspiration from Chinese sail designs, incorporating elements of their unique shape and functionality into various types of vessels.

The Artistry of Sailmaking

Creating a Chinese sail is not just a craft; it's an art. Sailmakers pay close attention to the balance and curvature of the sail, ensuring that it captures the wind's energy optimally. This commitment to craftsmanship has preserved the beauty and efficiency of Chinese sails through the ages.

Embracing the Junk Rig Sailboat

The birth of junk rig sailboats.

The junk rig sailboat, often simply referred to as a "junk," is a type of sailing vessel that utilizes Chinese sails. This design originated in ancient China and quickly spread across Asia. It has a unique setup with multiple masts and a distinctive junk rig sail configuration.

Simplicity and Efficiency

One of the key advantages of the junk rig sailboat is its simplicity. It is easy to handle and maintain, making it an attractive option for both novice and experienced sailors. The junk rig's efficient design allows for stable and reliable performance on the water.

Modern Adaptations

While traditional junk rig sailboats maintain their historical charm, modern adaptations have introduced improvements in materials and construction techniques. This has enhanced their durability and performance, making them a popular choice among sailors today.

The Role of Junk Rig Sailboats in Exploration

Junk rig sailboats have played significant roles in exploration throughout history. Notably, the Chinese treasure fleets of the 15th century, led by Admiral Zheng He, used junk rig sailboats to traverse vast oceans, contributing to cultural exchange and global exploration.

Sailors' Stories

Countless sailors have embarked on extraordinary journeys aboard junk rig sailboats. Their stories are filled with adventures, challenges, and moments of sheer beauty as they navigate the world's oceans using this unique sail design.

The Allure of Chinese Junk Sailboats

Navigating with grace.

Chinese junk sailboats are known for their graceful and stable navigation. Their unique sail design, combined with their versatile hulls, allows for comfortable and enjoyable voyages, whether for leisure or exploration.

Joining the Junk Rig Association

Sailing enthusiasts worldwide have embraced the allure of junk rig sailboats. Many have joined the Junk Rig Association, a community of sailors dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of junk rig sailing. Membership offers access to valuable resources and a network of like-minded individuals.

Exploring the Market

For those captivated by the idea of owning a junk sailboat, there are opportunities to find junk rig sailboats for sale. These vessels, steeped in tradition and character, are often sought after by collectors and adventurers alike.

Restoring Junk Sailboats

The restoration of vintage junk sailboats has become a passionate endeavor for many. Bringing these vessels back to their former glory requires skill and dedication, but the result is a connection to maritime history that's deeply rewarding.

Artistic Expression Through Sailing

Sailing aboard a Chinese junk sailboat is not just an adventure; it's an artistic expression. The unique design and history of these vessels add a layer of meaning and creativity to every voyage.

Setting Sail with Junk Rig

Navigating with confidence.

Navigating with a junk rig sailboat is an exhilarating experience. The adaptability of the rig allows sailors to harness the power of the wind with ease, providing a sense of control and confidence on the open water.

Sailing into the Sunset

Picture yourself aboard a junk rig sailboat, the sun setting on the horizon as you sail effortlessly across the water. It's moments like these that make junk rig sailing an unforgettable and cherished pastime.

Uniting Tradition and Modernity

Junk rig sailboats represent a unique fusion of tradition and modernity. They pay homage to centuries-old Chinese sailing techniques while embracing contemporary advancements in materials and technology.

The Global Community of Junk Rig Sailors

Sailing is not just a solitary endeavor but a way to connect with a global community of fellow sailors. Junk rig sailors share a passion for exploration, tradition, and the thrill of the open sea.

Preserving Maritime Heritage

By sailing and preserving junk rig sailboats, enthusiasts contribute to the preservation of maritime heritage. These vessels are living pieces of history, reminding us of the artistry and craftsmanship of the past.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Check out our latest sailing content:

Nurturing the Next Generation of Sailors

Sailing is not just a passion for a select few; it's a skill that can be passed down through generations. Many families have embraced the tradition of sailing on Chinese junk sailboats, teaching their children the art of navigating the seas. This transfer of knowledge ensures that the legacy of these unique vessels will continue for years to come.

Sustainable Sailing with Junk Rigs

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, junk rig sailboats align with the principles of sustainability. Their efficient use of wind energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels, making them an eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious sailors. By choosing junk rig sailboats, individuals contribute to the preservation of our oceans and marine ecosystems.

The Challenge of Solo Sailing

For those seeking solitude and personal growth, solo sailing on a junk rig sailboat is a remarkable endeavor. It challenges sailors to rely on their skills and instincts, fostering self-reliance and a deep connection with nature. Many solo sailors have embarked on epic journeys, pushing the boundaries of human exploration.

The Art of Knots and Rigging

Sailing aboard a junk rig sailboat requires a mastery of knots and rigging. Sailors must become adept at tying various knots to secure sails, lines, and rigging. This practical skill adds a hands-on dimension to sailing, enhancing the overall experience and connecting sailors to the age-old traditions of seamanship.

A Journey Through Maritime History

Exploring the world of Chinese sails and junk rig sailboats is, in essence, a journey through maritime history. It offers a glimpse into the techniques and innovations that powered civilizations and facilitated global trade. Every voyage on a junk rig sailboat is a tribute to the sailors of the past who navigated uncharted waters.

Tales from the High Seas

The history of Chinese sails and junk rig sailboats is replete with tales of adventure and daring voyages. From legendary sea captains to modern-day adventurers, these vessels have carried sailors through tumultuous storms, across vast oceans, and to remote, untouched shores. These tales of resilience and discovery continue to inspire new generations of sailors.

Exploring Uncharted Waters

Sailing on a junk rig sailboat opens up opportunities to explore remote and uncharted waters. Whether it's the azure waters of the South Pacific or the icy expanses of the Arctic, these vessels have the versatility to take sailors to places where few have ventured before.

Sailing Competitions and Regattas

The allure of junk rig sailboats extends to the world of sailing competitions and regattas. Enthusiasts come together to showcase their sailing skills and the unique characteristics of junk rigs. These events celebrate the camaraderie of sailors and the beauty of these vessels under full sail.

Sailing for Relaxation and Meditation

Beyond the thrill of exploration, junk rig sailboats offer a sanctuary for relaxation and meditation. There's something inherently calming about being on the water, surrounded by the gentle sound of waves and the rustling of sails. Many sailors find solace and a sense of inner peace while sailing on their junk rig boats.

A Lifelong Journey

In conclusion, the world of Chinese sails and junk rig sailboats is not merely a hobby; it's a lifelong journey. It's a journey that encompasses history, tradition, craftsmanship, exploration, and a deep connection with the sea. Whether you're drawn to the elegance of Chinese sails, the simplicity of junk rig sailboats, or the stories of intrepid sailors, there's a world of discovery waiting for you on the open water. So, set your sails and embark on this extraordinary adventure that transcends time and borders.

In the world of sailing, the allure of Chinese sails and junk rigged sailboats is undeniable. Their timeless elegance, adaptability, and historical significance continue to captivate sailors and enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a newcomer to the world of sailing, exploring the art of junk rig sailing is an experience that promises adventure and a deep connection to maritime heritage.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite  sailing destinations.

I am ready to help you with booking a boat for your dream vacation. Contact me.

Denisa Nguyenová

The Shipyard

For Those Who Love Ships

• Maritime History

A Design Multiverse

Contrary to popular belief, the term junk does not refer to one specific type of boat. Originating from the Teochew dialect and later picked up by the Portuguese, the word zung simply translates as “ship”. And much like its name, the vessel itself was never limited to a single design. Although the classic silhouette included the iconic bat-wing sails, a flat-bottomed hull with a pronounced curve, and a stern-mounted rudder, junks adopted numerous design variations, depending on period, region, purpose, available materials, and foreign influences.

Perhaps the most visible element of a junk were the battened sails, which opened and closed much like a Chinese fan. Although heavy and cumbersome to raise, these sails lowered and folded within seconds, requiring only a skeleton crew – a stark contrast with Western vessels, where tack-change called for many hands on deck. Fabric sails first appeared as late as the 12 th century, with earlier vessels using bamboo mats instead.

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Unlike other regions in the world, where ship hulls evolved from dug-out boats, naturally adopting keels and pointed sterns, the predominant vessel in early Chinese navigation was the U-bottomed raft. The roots of its characteristic shape stem from the country’s vast and challenging geography – the ancient Chinese first explored the potential of their navigable rivers, later moving to the shallow coastline of the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea. Only the highest cargo capacities made such distances economical, while the shallow and silty waterways demanded minimal draft; hence, the curved, flat hull performed equally well on the river and out at sea.

In contrast, the South China Sea was both deeper and more accessible for international trade, leading to the adoption of foreign hull designs, like the tapered bows of dhows and proas . A curious monument of this exchange of ideas were the large eyes, painted onto the bows of imperial junks, much like the ships of Ancient Egypt and Greece. In fact, historians believe this was their precise origin, with Muslim-Arab traders acting as intermediaries between the Mediterranean and the Far East.

Another curious and fascinating feature of the hull was hidden inside – watertight compartments. Yes, the technology that failed the Titanic and saved countless other vessels was devised by the brilliant shipbuilders of the Middle Kingdom, inspired by the inner structure of a bamboo stalk. While European and Arab travelers marveled at this invention in the 15 th century, bulkheads had already been a mainstream feature of Chinese junks for at least a millennium.

But the most revolutionary Chinese innovation was arguably the stern-mounted rudder. This invention steered junks as early as the 1 st century AD, a good thousand years before the invention of its pintle-and-gudgeon European relative. Western shipyards struggled for many years, as the tapered sterns of their vessels made axially mounted steering a challenging task. It was not until the 14 th century and the development of the vertical sternpost, when European navies discarded the side-rudder and sailed out on the open ocean with new vigor.

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The Pinnacle: Junks Go Global

The quintessential Chinese ship reached its Golden Age in the early 15 th century. In a time of global innovation and maritime discovery, the spirit of exploration ignited the ambitions of the early Ming Dynasty. In 1405, the far-sighted Yongle Emperor assigned to his trusted court-eunuch Zheng He a task as grueling as it was glorious – to head a massive naval expedition with the goal to assert Ming dominance over the Indian Ocean trade and establish a transcontinental tributary system, all the way to East Africa.

Described by his contemporaries as “walking like a tiger”, Admiral He sailed from the port of Liujiagang in a fleet that fitted his assertive swagger. Of the 317 junks of Zheng He’s first expedition, the most splendid (and controversial) were the “Treasure Ships”, reported by some sources to have reached 417 feet (127 m) in length. Each of these marvels of pre-modern shipbuilding housed hundreds of passengers, including navigators, doctors, translators, soldiers, and bureaucrats. This first tributary expedition took the magnificent Chinese delegation to Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago, India, Arabia, and the Horn of Africa. The Yongle Emperor sponsored seven tributary voyages, for which the Nanjing shipyards churned out two thousand seagoing junks.

Over the six centuries since then, however, the dispute about the size of Zheng He’s junks has been as heated as the praise. Qing-Dynasty historians, who first lauded the astonishing lengths of the Treasure Ships, also reported impressive dimensions for European vessels, which have since then been proven as strongly exaggerated. Western studies thus suspect that the imperial junks measured as little as 230 ft (70 m).

The debate gets even blurrier due to variations in historic Chinese units, like zhang and chi . One chi , for example, could measure anywhere between twenty-five and thirty-five centimeters. Modern Chinese scholars, however, consider the value of a Fujianese chi as the geographically closest to the Ming-Dynasty, arguing that He’s flagship must have been 425 ft (130 m) long, making it the second largest wooden sailing ship in history (after the American schooner Wyoming ).

The Phoenix That Never Rose from the Ashes

Zheng He’s naval triumph was not to last. Toward the end of his reign, the Yongle Emperor deployed much of the country’s resources north of the Great Wall, against the remnants of the fallen Mongol dynasty. This massive land campaign not only put an end to China’s maritime expansion but also contributed to centuries-long isolation, choking international trade, and leading to inevitable naval decline.

Tragically, the Ming never suspected the far-reaching legacy of this isolationism – sealing the empire’s borders strangulated not just the flow of products, but the exchange of ideas. As the Qing Dynasty maintained their own restrictive policy under the Canton System, China remained cut-off from the world in an era of unseen technological progress. By the time the British Navy arrived in the Pearl River Delta to wage the Opium Wars, the mighty Qing empire and its opulent fleet of junks were hopelessly obsolete. By 1875, the Imperial Chinese Navy replaced the last remaining war junks with foreign-built steamships.

Contrary to expectations, the junk survived well into the 20 th century, making a spectacular and gruesome last stand in the 1950 Battle of Hainan Island, where the Red Army deployed 318 ramshackle junks in an epic amphibious assault against Nationalist forces. Imagine a deadlier D-Day, but with wood and sail, rather than steel and diesel!

Across the border in British Hong Kong, numerous junks plied the waterways in and around the colony all the way until the 1970s, when the Tanka (boatpeople) community agreed to scrap their quaint floating homes and dissolve into Hong Kong’s concrete maze.

Click here to see more photos of Chinese junks and to read about the Port of Hong Kong!

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The Ages of Exploration

Quick Facts:

Besides having a cool name, the sturdy, lightweight junk is known for being the first ship to feature a rudder mounted on its stern for steering. The Chinese junk ship was among the most powerful and easily navigable ships in the ancient world.

Date : 2800 BCE – Present day

Chinese junk 1804

A Chinese junk depicted in Travels in China: containing descriptions, observations, and comparisons, made and collected in the course of a short residence at the Imperial palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a subsequent journey through the country from Pekin to Canton, page 59 by John Barrow. {{PD-Art|1804}}

• Additional Resources

The Chinese and other Asian cultures have used the junk ship for millennia. The first known reference to ships like the junk was around 2800 BCE under the Chinese emperor Fu Hsi. Junks had many uses in ancient Chinese culture, including fishing, transportation, trading, warfare and the exploration of Southeast Asia. Along with its innovative rudder steering system, junks were built to withstand rough seas, to be easy to maneuver, and to move quickly. The strong build of these ships allowed Chinese explorers to venture far and wide. Ancient Chinese coins have been found in India and even the eastern shores of Africa! Evidence of junks have been recorded in the writings of Muslims on the Euphrates River in the 7 th century CE, and fleets of junk ships were recorded by Marco Polo in the 13 th century. When Marco Polo wrote about these ships, most were quite large, with 50 to 60 cabins onboard. By the 15th century, however, junks had become colossal in size! These massive, well-built ships were said to be 400 feet long and 160 feet wide (that’s 40 stories from bow to stern and 16 stories from starboard to port)!

One of the unique features of the junks were the shape of their sails, which were very different from those of Western ships. Chinese junks were not square-rigged; they had elliptical, curved sails, which were reinforced with inner bars made of bamboo. Because the bamboo kept the sails strong, less rigging was needed. It also prevented the sails themselves from fraying and rotting as quickly as they otherwise would have.

The ingenuity and strength of these ships have allowed them to continue to be used today. Some junks are used for tourism; however there are still junks that are used for fishing and trade in the coastal waters and rivers of China, Japan, and Indonesia. Although the typical junk has shrunk in size from 400 feet to about 70 feet, they are still large enough for some families to live in them.

Waldman, Carl, and Alan Wexler. Encyclopedia of Exploration, Vol. 1-2. New York: Facts On File, 2004.

• The Mariners' Educational Programs
• Bibliography

Chinese Junk Sail Boat Explained

• Categories : Marine history
• Tags : Marine engineering

Introduction

Junks are ancient Chinese sail boats that are still widely used in many countries around the world. Having minimum of two to three sails, Junks are known as one of the most successful ancient ship types in the maritime history (Read about other types of ancient boats such as rafts , dugouts and cogs ). It is said that junks were first made during the Han dynasty in China. Initially, Chinese people made small sized junk sail boats but as the popularity of junks increased, boats of hundred and fifty meter sizes were also made. In ancient time, Junks were generally used for transporting cargo and played an important role in Asian Trade during the nineteenth century.

Later on, junks were constructed and being used in most of the parts of Asia such as India, Sumatra etc. However, junks were mostly commonly found in China, especially Hong Kong. Junks are still used in India and many parts of China.

Construction

The salient feature of Junks was that they were easy to identify with their two masts and unusual square sails. These sturdy ships were one of the most technically advanced ships of that time. Made from wood, junks were boats with flat bottoms. The square rigged sails were mounted on bamboo poles that can be closed together. The sails were considered the main part of the boat, which also facilitated the boat with great speed.

However, unlike other types of boats, junks don’t have any keel (flat bottom). Though this feature makes the boat a bit difficult to maneuver, the peculiar stern mounted rudder helps to eradicate this problem. This large central rudder would thus help the boat to maneuver smoothly through the waves. Junk’s rudders were manually operated and needed at least three crew members to control it in bad weather condition. Rudders were known as the strongest part of the junks.

Moreover, the sails of junks were strategically located. This means that if there were four sails on a boat , they did not face directly to the forward but were placed obliquely to direct the wind into the sails that were placed right behind them. In this way all the sails were able to profit from the pressure of the wind. This unique arrangement helped the boat to use the most strongest of the winds and weather and thus not get affected by it.

Traditional junks were usually made of softwood such as teak and had several compartments connected to each other with the help of ladder and hatches. The great robustness of the junks can be attributed to huge internal braces known as bulkheads. The bulkheads helped in dividing the hollow hull into several watertight compartments that made junks virtually unsinkable. It is this design of traditional junks that is adopted in all the construction processes of modern ships.

Thus, it was the simplicity, reliability and easy handling of the junks that made them one of the most famous and successful boats in the ancient times.

Image Credits

Jericho Sailing Centre Association, Canada

Transportation in Chinese: Complete List of 73 + Vehicles in Mandarin

If you are l earning Mandarin Chinese and are planning to visit China for vacation, work or study, you will certainly need to learn the Chinese transportation vocabulary . After all, how else will you be able to get around without knowing how to say buses or trains in Chinese?

Luckily for you, we got this entire post dedicated to transportation in Chinese. Our guide will take you through 73 + means of transport ation  in the world starting from the most common vehicles used for daily commute leading up to bulldozers, helicopters, and submarines!

And we won’t stop there. Once you’ve known your way around vehicles, we’ll teach you a whole lot of phrases and expressions to be able to talk about transportation in Chinese, so that you’ll have everything you need for your next trip.

Sound good? Buckle up!

But first and foremost, let’s learn how to say “transportation” and “vehicle” in Chinese.

“ Transportation ”  in Chinese

The word for transportation in Chinese, as a general term for transport facilities that take you from place to place, is:

• 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù)

If you break down the word into characters , 交 (jiāo) means “to transfer”, 通 (totōng) means “open” or “through”, and 工具 (gōngjù) stands for “ tools ”. Together, they express the idea of “transportation”.

However, when you are referring to the action of transporting in Chinese, you’ll need to use another word – 运输 (yùnshū) .

You can use 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù) and 运输 (yùnshū) as follows:

• Cars are a common form of transportation . 汽车是一种常见的 交通工具 。 Qìchē shì yì zhǒng chángjiàn de  jiāotōng gōngjù .
• the transportation  of natural gas 天然气的 运输 tiānránqì de yùnshū

In this guide, we’ll focus on the forms of transportation – 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù) in Chinese.

“ Vehicle ”  in Chinese

The word for vehicle in Chinese is 车辆 (chē liàng )   if you are talking about self-propelled wheeled vehicles such as cars or trucks.

车辆 (chēliàng), as well as other types of vehicles, like trains, planes, and ships can be called 交通工具 (jiāotōng gōngjù) in Chinese.

A Grammar Note on Vehicles in Chinese

In Mandarin Chinese, all nouns require a measure word when counted. For instance, you wouldn’t just say “a car”, or “two boats” in Chinese, you would have to say “a [measure word] car” and “two [measure word] boats”.

Different vehicles require different measure words that speak to the feature of that specific mode of transportation . For example, for vehicles with wheels (e.g. car, bike, monocycle), you can generally go with the measure word 辆 (liàng) or 部 (bù), and for watercraft, 条 (tiáo) and 艘 (sōu) are the proper measure words to use.

Knowing the name of vehicles in Chinese is only half the battle. To help you fully master transportation vocabulary in Chinese, we include the corresponding measure word for each vehicle on our list.

If the concept of measure words sounds alien to you, we have this entire article dedicated to explaining  how Chinese measure words work . If you don’t know  how to count in Chinese  yet, you might want to start with our Chinese number tutorial  first.

Complete List of Transportation Vehicles in Chinese

There is a huge range of vehicles and they all perform different functions, so there’s a lot of ground to cover. To help you out, we’ll start with a list of the most common vehicles in Chinese that can serve as a starting point before moving on to specific modes of transportation.

Most Common Transportation in Chinese

Here’s a quick rundown of the 9 most common means of transportation in Mandarin Chinese to give you a foundation. The Pinyin version has been provided alongside the Chinese characters to help you pronounce the words. We’ve also included the corresponding measure word for each vehicle.

These words are the basics of any transportation vocabulary lesson. They are used every day and everywhere.

Before we add more words to this list, here are some technicalities to help you understand how and where to use these core transportation words in Chinese.

1. Bike in Chinese: 自行车 (zìxíngchē)

Some vehicles have different names depending on the region you find them. 

自行车 (zìxíngchē), 单车 (dānchē), and 脚踏车 (jiǎotàchē) – all of these three words mean bike in Chinese and are easily understood.

In Mainland China, a bike is generally referred to as 自行车 (zìxíngchē) – literally “self-moving vehicle”.

People in Taiwan and Cantonese-speaking regions prefer to name it 单车  (dānchē) -“narrow vehicle”.

脚踏车 (jiǎotàchē) – “foot pedal vehicle” is a slightly old-fashioned word for bike in standard Mandarin, but is the most common option in the version of Mandarin spoken in the Yangtze River Delta region of China , which includes Shanghai. (Read more on the language of Shanghai ).

2. Motorcycle in Chinese: 摩托车 (mótuōchē)

摩托车 (mótuōchē) is what we call motorcycles in Mainland China, and 机车 (jīchē) is a motorcycle in Taiwan. Actually, 机车 (jīchē) in Chinese Mandarin means locomotive.

The word 摩托 (mótuō), you’ve guessed it, comes from the English word “motor”. 摩托 (mótuō) can also be used as the shorter form of 摩托车 (mótuōchē). The younger the people are, the more often they use the shorter form.

3. Car in Chinese: 汽车 (qìchē)

The word for car in Chinese is 汽车 (qìchē), literally “steam vehicle”. Well, the earliest cars were all powered by a steam engine, weren’t they?

In daily Chinese, it’s also very common to hear the colloquial versions – 车 (chē) or 车子 (chēzi) for cars though these words can also be used to refer to other land vehicles (e.g. motorcycles, buses, trucks, etc).

4. Bus in Chinese: 公共汽车 (gōnggòng qìchē)

The word for bus in Chinese – as a means of public transportation – is 公共汽车 (gōnggòng qìchē), meaning “public vehicle”. We also have the word 巴士 (bāshì), which is borrowed from the English word “bus”, for buses in general. An example of this would be 观光巴士 (guānguāng bāshì) – sightseeing bus.

Another common way of saying bus, particularly the inner-city bus in Chinese is 公交车 (gōngjiāochē) – “public transportation vehicle”. It can even be shortened to just 公交 (gōngjiāo) in spoken Chinese.

5. Taxi in Chinese: 出租车 (chūzūchē)

Taxi is another word that can be said in different ways depending on which part of the Chinese-speaking world you are traveling to.

In Mainland China “taxi” is 出租车 (chūzūchē), literally “(for) rent vehicle”, and 计程车 (jìchéngchē) – “taximeter vehicle” is a taxi in Taiwan.

In the Cantonese-speaking region (Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong Province of China), the favored word for car is 的士 (dīshì), coming from the English word “taxi”. The rest of China uses the word as well, but only for saying “take a taxi”: 打的 (dǎ dī) – 的 (dī) is the short form of 的士 (dīshì).

6. Train in Chinese: 火车 (huǒchē)

This is easy. 火车 (huǒchē) literally means “fire vehicle”!

But do you know how to say “railway” in Chinese? 铁路 (tiělù)! From 铁 (tiě) – “iron” and 路 (lù) – “track, road”.

7. Subway in Chinese: 地铁 (dìtiě)

Subway or underground is commonly referred to as 地铁 (dìtiě) in Mainland China, which is essentially the short version of 地下铁路 (dìxià tiělù) – “underground railway”.

In Taiwan and Singapore, the word 捷运 (jiéyùn) – “rapid transport” is used to mean subway.

8. Plane in Chinese: 飞机 (fēijī)

Well…easy: 飞机 (fēijī) – literally, “flying machine”, which is a word I inexplicably love!

9. Boat in Chinese: 船 (chuán)

The word for boat in Chinese is 船 (chuán).

Actually, 船 (chuán) can be both a boat or ship depending on the context, but the measure word to collaborate with it differs – 条 (tiáo) is reserved for small boats while 艘 (sōu) is used for bigger boats and ships.

Watch out, because 船 (chuán) sounds somewhat like 床 (chuáng), meaning “bed” in Chinese. You don’t want to mispronounce the word and confuse people. (If you want to make Chinese people laugh, try these instead )

Here are some pictures to help you visualize these core transportation vocabulary.

Road Transportation in Chinese

Road transportation is an essential part of day-to-day life. In this section, you will be able to learn how to name the different vehicles on the road in Chinese. Enjoy your ride!

Both the measure words 辆 (liàng) and 部 (bù) are used for land vehicles with wheels in Chinese, however, 辆 (liàng) is the more common option, and 部 (bù) sounds more formal and often appears in the written language.

gōnggòng qìchē

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tíngchēchǎng

Rail Transportation in Chinese

China has probably the most-developed rail network in the world. I am sure you will need some rail transportation vocabulary when traveling to China, so this section will be useful.

Here’s how you name the wheeled vehicles running on rail track in Chinese.

Notice the measure word has changed to 列 (liè) for trains and the like. That’s the proper measure word for a line or row of things in Chinese.

Air Transportation in Chinese

Traveling does not necessarily mean you have to fly, but if you are planning to visit China, it is more than likely that you will be traveling by air.

Here you have some words related to air transportation in Chinese.

Water Transportation in Chinese

Time to hit the water and discover waterborne transportation in Chinese.

Here’s how you name boats, ships, and other vessels in Chinese. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice the measure word 条 (tiáo) is used for small vessels while 艘 (sōu) is favored for bigger ones.

Construction Vehicles in Chinese

Construction has a big impact on jobs , livelihood, and the economy. Here are the names of common construction vehicles in Chinese.  

General   Transportation -related Vocabulary in Chinese

You would not travel too far by memorizing just the names of vehicles in Chinese. It is time to learn a few useful words regarding transportation in general. They will help you find your way around when you go to China!

Talking About Transportation  in Chinese

Learning transportation vocabulary is necessary, but you cannot just utter individual words and expect others to understand you!

Well, don’t worry. We’ll cover all the language bases in this section to help you solve any problem or doubt you can have when talking about transportation in Mandarin Chinese.

We have divided this section into two parts: essential Chinese transportation verbs, and useful example sentences to use in simple conversation.

Chinese Verbs for Using  T ransportation

First, verbs. They are perhaps the most important part of  Chinese learning for beginners . Let’s explore the key Chinese verbs and verb phrases associated with using transportation.

The verb 坐 (zuò) is essential for talking about transportation in Chinese. To say “take” or “go by” a mode of transportation, for the most part, the pattern is 坐 (zuò) + transportation . 坐  (zuò) means to sit or take transportation.

Let’s look at some examples.

• 坐 班车 zuò  bānchē take the shuttle/by shuttle
• 坐 地铁 zuò  dìtiě take the subway/by subway
• 坐 飞机 zuò  bānchē take the plane/by plane
• 坐 轮船 zuò  lúnchuán take the ship/by ship

If you want to talk about going somewhere on foot, then the verb 走 (zǒu) is used instead.

• 走 路 zǒu  lù walk/on foot

Similarly to the verb 坐 (zuò), the verb 乘 (chéng) can be used to say “take” or “go by” as well.

• 乘 班车 chéng  bānchē take the shuttle/by shuttle
• 乘 地铁 chéng  dìtiě take the subway/by subway
• 乘 飞机 chéng  bānchē take the plane/by plane
• 乘 轮船 chéng  lúnchuán take the ship/by ship

Both words mean the same in general (when talking about transportation), but 乘 (chéng) is more formal than 坐 (zuò). Hence the word 乘客 (chéngkè) – “passenger”. (There is no 坐客 zuòkè!)

打 (dǎ) is one of the most versatile verbs in Mandarin Chinese and can be used for talking about transportation as well. Specifically, you can use 打的 (dǎ dī) or 打车 (dǎ chē) to mean “take a taxi”.

的 (dī) – watch out for the pronunciation – is the short form of 的士 (dīshì), which is one of the ways of saying “taxi” in Mandarin, coming from Cantonese. 打出租车 (dǎ chūzūchē) is also fine for “take a taxi” but is less commonly said.

开   ( kāi )

The word 开 (kāi) can have different meanings, but when it comes to transportation, it means to drive, steer or fly.

• 开 出租车 kāi  chūzūchē drive a taxi
• 开 拖拉机 kāi  tuōlājī drive a tractor
• 开 快艇 kāi  kuàitǐng steer a speedboat
• 开 直升飞机 kāi  zhíshēng fēijī fly a helicopter

The Chinese verb 骑 (qí) translates to “ride” and refers to sitting on and propelling a bicycle or similar vehicle.

• 骑 自行车 qí  zìxíngchē ride a bike
• 骑 共享单车 qí  gòngxiǎng dānchē ride a shared bike
• 骑 电瓶车 qí  diànpíngchē ride a electric scooter
• 骑 摩托车 qí  mótuōchē ride a motorcycle

And of course, 骑 (qí) can be used for the action of riding an animal such as a horse – 骑马 (qí mǎ).

上 (shàng) /下 ( xià )

These two verbs have many different meanings, and they can be used when referring to almost every means of transportation. While 上 (shàng) means “get on, get in, get aboard,” 下 (xià) means the opposite: “get off, get out of, disembark.”

• 上 车 shàng  chē get in the car
• 上 地铁 shàng  dìtiě get on the subway
• 上 飞机 shàng  fēijī get on the plane
• 下 公交 xià  gōngjiāo get off the bus
• 下 船 xià  chuán get off the ship

Simple Conversations Regarding Transportation in Chinese

Now is the time to use the Chinese transportation vocabulary and expressions in context. Practice the following sentences and you will be able to get the information you need whenever you need it. Plus, you’ll  develop your knowledge of Chinese grammar and gain confidence in speaking Chinese in real conversations. 

• 你平时怎么去上班？ Nǐ píngshí zěnme qù shàngbān? How do you go to work usually? 我每天开车上班。 Wǒ měitiān kāi chē shàngbān. I drive to work every day.
• 你喜欢坐飞机吗？ Nǐ xǐhuan zuò fēijī ma? Do you like flying in planes? 不喜欢，我怕死。 Bù xǐhuan, wǒ pà sǐ. No, I am scared of death.
• 你们的城市有地铁吗？ Nǐmen de chéngshì yǒu dìtiě ma? Is there a subway in your city? 没有，但是我们有轻轨。 Méiyǒu, dànshì wǒmen yǒu qīngguǐ. No, we got light rail though.
• 你打算怎么去火车站？ Nǐ dǎsuàn zěnme qù huǒchēzhàn? How do you plan to go to the railway station? 坐公交/坐地铁/打的。 Zuò gōngjiāo/Zuò dìtiě/Dǎ dī. By bus/subway/taxi.
• 你到了吗？ Nǐ dào le ma? Have you arrived? 马上，还有两站地铁。 Mǎshàng, háiyǒu liǎng zhàn dìtiě. In a moment. Two more stops on the subway.
• 这辆车到机场吗？ Zhè liàng chē dào jīchǎng ma? Does this bus go to the airport? 不到，你要去那个车站坐机场巴士。 Bú dào, nǐ yào qù nàge chēzhàn zuò jīchǎng bāshì. No. You need to take the airport shuttle at the stop over there.
• 下一班去上海的火车几点出发？ Xià yì bān qù Shànghǎi de huǒchē jǐ diǎn chūfā? When does the next train to Shanghai depart? 今晚九点半。 Jīnwǎn jiǔ diǎn bàn. 9:30 tonight.
• 请问在哪里买车票？ Qǐngwèn zài nǎlǐ mǎi chēpiào? Excuse me, where do I buy the ticket? 上楼左转售票口。 Shàng lóu zuǒ zhuǎn shòupiàokǒu. Go upstairs, turn left, at the ticket window.  
• 我买两张去南京的长途汽车票。 Wǒ mǎi liǎng zhāng qù Nánjīng de chángtú qìchē piào. I need two bus tickets to Nanjing. 单程是吗？一百二十元一张。 Dānchéng shì ma? Yì bǎi èr shí yuán yì zhāng. One way, right? That’ll be one hundred twenty Yuan each.
• 我要去市政大厅，应该在哪站下车？ Wǒ yào qù shìzhèng dàtīng, yīnggāi zài nǎ zhàn xià chē? I am going to the city hall. Which stop should I get off? 到了我会告诉你。 Dào le wǒ huì gàosù nǐ. I’ll let you know when we are there.

Want to Learn More Chinese?

There you go: all the useful transportation words and expressions you can use when traveling to a Chinese-speaking country, planning your holidays, talking to your Chinese friends about your last trip, etc. 

Now, if you’re learning Chinese, you should make the best out of ImproveMandarin.com , one of the world’s largest sites dedicated to Mandarin learning.

We also recommend you take a structured course online to 3X your Chinese learning success. We’ve taken the time to try out dozens of Chinese courses on the internet, some are fabulous while others are a complete waste of time.  Here are the best online Chinese courses we found in 2024.

45 Chinese Sailing Boat Yards producing for China and Worldwide!

Published by sail on march 18, 2023 march 18, 2023.

China is a main sailboat manufacturing hub, including worldwide notorious brands.

Here is a list of 45 of the main Chinese sailing yards:

• Amel Yachts – Based in France with a manufacturing facility in China, Amel Yachts produces high-end bluewater cruising sailboats
• Bavaria Yachts China – Founded in 1978, Bavaria Yachts is a German sailboat manufacturer that produces a range of high-quality cruising and racing yachts. The company had a strong presence in China and produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Bayliner China – A subsidiary of the US-based Bayliner company, Bayliner China produces a range of affordable sailboats that are designed for family cruising.
• Beneteau China – Beneteau is a French sailboat manufacturer with a history dating back over 130 years. The company’s China division produces a range of sailboats, including cruising yachts, racing boats, and catamarans.
• Broadblue Catamarans – Based in Xiamen, this company produces high-performance sailing catamarans for the international market. China Sailing – Established in 1988, this company produces a range of sailing yachts, catamarans, and powerboats.
• Dalian Detai Yachts – Specializing in the production of high-performance racing yachts, Dalian Detai Yachts produces a range of cutting-edge designs that are popular with professional sailors.
• Delphia Yachts China – A Polish-based company with a manufacturing facility in China, Delphia Yachts produces a range of sailing yachts and motorboats.
• Dickey Boats – Based in New Zealand, Dickey Boats produces a range of high-performance sailing yachts that are designed for racing and cruising.
• Dufour Yachts China – Established in 1964, Dufour Yachts is a French sailboat manufacturer with a strong presence in China. The company produces high-quality, performance-oriented sailboats ranging from 30 to 63 feet.
• Far East Boats – Based in China, this company produces a range of dinghies, keelboats, and multihulls for racing and cruising.
• Fountaine Pajot China – Fountaine Pajot is a French catamaran manufacturer that produces a range of high-quality cruising catamarans. The company’s China division produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Grand Soleil China – A subsidiary of the Italian-based Grand Soleil company, Grand Soleil China produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts that are designed for both racing and cruising.
• Hanse Yachts China – Hanse Yachts is a German sailboat manufacturer that produces a range of high-performance yachts for cruising and racing. The company has a strong presence in China and produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Hansheng Yachts – A leading sailboat manufacturer in China, Hansheng Yachts produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts and catamarans.
• Hi Star Yachts – Based in Taiwan, Hi Star Yachts produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts that are designed for both racing and cruising.
• Hunter Yachts China – Hunter Yachts is an American sailboat manufacturer that produces a range of cruising and racing yachts. The company has a strong presence in China and produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Hylas Yachts – Based in Taiwan with a manufacturing facility in China, Hylas Yachts produces high-end bluewater cruising sailboats.
• J/Boats China – A subsidiary of the US-based J/Boats, this company produces a range of performance sailing yachts.
• Jeanneau China – Jeanneau is a French sailboat manufacturer that has been building boats for over 60 years. The company’s China division produces a range of sailboats, including cruising yachts, racing boats, and catamarans.
• Jiangsu Sirocco Marine Co. – A leading manufacturer of inflatable boats, Jiangsu Sirocco Marine Co. also produces a range of small sailboats that are designed for recreational sailing.
• Jinlong Yacht – A leading manufacturer of powerboats, Jinlong Yacht also produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts that are designed for both racing and cruising.
• Lagoon Catamarans China – Lagoon is a French catamaran manufacturer that produces a range of high-quality cruising catamarans. The company’s China division produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Maxima Yachts – Based in Qingdao, Maxima Yachts produces a range of affordable sailboats that are designed for recreational sailing.
• Ming Hui Yacht – Founded in 2008, this company produces a range of motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans.
• Mingxing Yachts – Specializing in the production of traditional Chinese sailing junks, Mingxing Yachts produces a range of beautifully crafted wooden boats.
• Nautor’s Swan China – Nautor’s Swan is a Finnish sailboat manufacturer that produces high-performance racing and cruising yachts. The company has a strong presence in China and produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Ocean Explorer Yachts – Based in Hong Kong, Ocean Explorer Yachts produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts that are designed for cruising in comfort.
• Oceanis Yachts China – Oceanis Yachts is a French sailboat manufacturer that produces a range of cruising yachts. The company’s China division produces boats that are tailored to the needs of the Chinese market.
• Oyster Yachts China – A subsidiary of the UK-based Oyster Yachts company, Oyster Yachts China produces a range of high-end sailing yachts that are designed for luxury cruising.
• Qingdao Wingo Star Yachts – Established in 2007, this company produces a range of luxury yachts, including motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans.
• Rongcheng Tongmao Yacht Co. – Based in the coastal city of Rongcheng, Rongcheng Tongmao Yacht Co. produces a range of sailing yachts for both pleasure and racing.
• Rongsheng Yacht – Founded in 1996, Rongsheng Yacht is a leading sailboat manufacturer in China. The company produces a range of high-performance sailing yachts, catamarans, and powerboats.
• Royal Yacht Club – Founded in 1996, this company produces a range of luxury sailing yachts and motor yachts.
• Seafarer Yachts – Based in Taiwan with a manufacturing facility in China, Seafarer Yachts produces a range of bluewater cruising sailboats.
• Seaway Yachts – Based in Shenzhen, Seaway Yachts produces a range of high-quality sailing yachts that are designed for both performance and comfort.
• Seawind Catamarans – This Australian company has a manufacturing facility in Qingdao, China, where it produces a range of performance cruising catamarans.
• Shanghai Double Happiness Yachts – Founded in 1989, this company specializes in the production of racing sailboats and cruising yachts.
• Shanghai Far East Yachts – Founded in 2002, Shanghai Far East Yachts produces a range of affordable sailboats for recreational sailors.
• Sunbird Yacht Co. Ltd. – Founded in 1995, this company produces luxury motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans. Based in Shanghai, Sunbird Yacht Co. produces a range of luxury sailing yachts that are designed for high-end clientele.
• Tsai Yachts – Specializing in the production of luxury sailing yachts, Tsai Yachts produces a range of beautifully crafted boats that are designed for high-end clientele.
• Vagabond Yachts – This company produces a range of bluewater cruising sailboats, with a focus on high-quality craftsmanship.
• Viko Yachts – A relatively new player in the Chinese sailboat market, Viko Yachts produces a range of affordable sailboats that are designed for family cruising.
• Xiamen Hansheng Yacht Building – This company produces a range of motor yachts, sailing yachts, and catamarans, with a focus on high-quality craftsmanship.
• Xiamen Hualong Marine – Specializing in the production of high-performance racing yachts, Xiamen Hualong Marine produces a range of cutting-edge designs that are popular with professional sailors.
• X-Yachts China – X-Yachts is a Danish sailboat manufacturer that produces high-performance racing and cruising yachts.
• Yachting France – This company produces a range of performance cruising sailboats for the Chinese market.

For a complete picture, please use our free searchable database here!

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The Story of Hong Kong’s Iconic Aqua Luna Red-Sail Junk Boats

Much like Hong Kong ’s iconic skyline and neon-lit streets, the red-sail Chinese junk boats, otherwise known as Aqua Luna, have become recognisable symbols of the city. They say that you haven’t really experienced Hong Kong unless you’ve sailed in one.

There are few better ways to see Hong Kong than from one of its red-sail Aqua Luna boats. Cruising around the harbour and taking in the sights is a wonderfully relaxing way to see the city. Fortunately, there are a variety of harbour tours and cruises that make it a worthwhile activity during the day or in the evenings when the city is illuminated.

The modern Aqua Luna is based on ancient Chinese sailing ships, known as junks, that were first used as seagoing vessels during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). They soon evolved and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. However, over the years, the number of junk boats in Chinese waters started to dwindle, and so the Aqua Luna was introduced in 2006 to try and preserve a dying art.

“Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour was once filled with glorious red sail Chinese junk boats, however over the years they have disappeared one by one,” says David Yeo, founder of Aqua Luna in a press release. “What better way to raise the spirits of the city than to recreate such a visually stunning and a quintessentially Hong Kong icon.”

Under the supervision of a 73-year-old shipbuilder, it took a local craftsman 18 months to construct the Aqua Luna with traditional methods. In Hong Kong’s local Cantonese language, the ship is known as Cheung Po Tsai, and was named after a Hong Kong pirate from the 19th century. Today, the Aqua Luna is more popular than ever with locals and visitors. The boats are instantly identified by their striking red sails.

The Aqua Luna has two decks: an open-air deck with loungers upstairs, and a covered space with glass windows downstairs.

The ship can accommodate up to 80 passengers in addition to the crew. It is 28 metres (92 ft) long and has three trademark red sails. However, these days, the sails are purely for decoration, as the boat is motorised.

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A second version of the iconic sailboat, Aqua Luna II, was introduced in April 2017. In addition to being slightly bigger, the new rendition swaps the original’s red sails for blue-and-white sails that are beautifully adorned with Chinese imperial-style dragons.

Aqua Luna II is mainly constructed from wood and bamboo and lacks even a single nail. Its construction was overseen by master craftsman Sifu Au, an 86-year-old shipwright who has built more wooden boats than anyone else in Hong Kong.

Few sights have become more quintessentially symbolic of Hong Kong than the Aqua Luna sailing up and down the harbour. If you’re visiting, be sure to check out the range of Aqua Luna harbour tours and cruises , which are among the best ways to see the city. Opt for the sunset cruise when the whole experience is very beautiful.

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Philippine Coast Guard shows damaged ship 'rammed by Chinese vessels' in South China Sea

Posted: August 23, 2024 | Last updated: August 23, 2024

Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships were damaged in the latest collisions with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. Footage shows Filipino crew patching up a hole on the BRP Bagacay, which was allegedly rammed twice by China Coast Guard Vessel 21551 while sailing in the dispute Escoda Shoal on August 19. The BRP Bagacay is the same vessel brutally blasted by China with water cannons in the Scarborough Shoal in April. Another PCG ship, the BRP Cape Engano also suffered damage to its starboard beam in a collision with China Coast Guard Vessel 33104 near the Spratly Islands on the same day. PCG Spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement: 'Despite these incidents, both PCG vessels remain committed to and shall proceed with their mission of delivering essential supplies to personnel stationed on Patag and Lawak Islands. The PCG stands firm in its responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our maritime domain while addressing any threats to our national interests. 'The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea urges restraint and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant international laws to prevent further escalations and ensure the safety of all vessels operating in the region.' Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless. The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.

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3 crew on Chinese boat missing after collision off Taiwan island

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Three crew members from a Chinese fishing boat were missing on Saturday after their ship collided with an unidentified vessel and sank off the coast of a Taiwanese island, Taiwan’s coast guard said.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and relations between the two have deteriorated in recent years.

A series of fishing boat incidents occurring along the narrow waterway separating Taiwan and China have heightened tensions.

The latest incident occurred early on Saturday when the Chinese-flagged boat “Min Long Yu 60877” sank after crashing into an unidentified vessel about 6.5 nautical miles off the coast of the Kinmen islands, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration said in a statement.

“There were seven crew members on board. Four were rescued and three were missing,” it said.

It said a patrol boat sent to the area could not find the missing crew.

“Those who fell into the sea were not found.”

The statement said Taiwan’s coast guard and its Chinese counterparts were carrying out “an expanded search and rescue” in nearby waters.

Kinmen county is administered by Taiwan but is located just five kilometres (three miles) from the Chinese coastal city of Xiamen.

A fatal incident involving a Chinese boat near Kinmen on February 14 kicked off a months-long row between Taiwan and China.

A boat capsized while it was being pursued by Taiwan’s coast guard, killing two Chinese crew members, for which Beijing blamed Taipei.

The two sides reached an agreement in July after negotiations over the incident, agreeing that the cause of death was “drowning”.

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129 Chinese vessels monitored in WPS; Navy says still within ‘acceptable range’

The Philippine Navy (PN) bared on Tuesday, Aug. 20, that it has monitored a sharp increase in the number of Chinese vessels operating in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the past week, ahead of the collision of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and China Coast Guard (CCG) ships in the tension-filled waters.

From Aug. 13 to 19, a total of 129 Chinese coast guard, navy, and maritime militia vessels were spotted in different features in the WPS including in Escoda Shoal where 2 PCG vessels collided with 2 CCG ships last Monday.

The number marked a 40-percent increase from the 92 Chinese vessels seen in the WPS from Aug. 6 to 12.

The biggest deployment of Chinese vessels was in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where PN ship BRP Sierra Madre is beached, with 41 maritime militia boats and four coast guard ships.

In Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, there were 30 maritime militia boats, a coast guard ship, and a navy ship. 

Meanwhile in Escoda Shoal, there were 12 maritime militia boats, five coast guard ships, and two navy vessels, including CCG vessels with tail number “3104” and “21551” which collided with BRP Bagacay and BRP Cape Cape Engaño during a resupply mission.

The other features with Chinese presence are Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), Kota Island, Likas Island, Lawak Island, Panata Island, Patag Island, and Iroquois Reef.

However, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, PN spokesperson for WPS, said the Chinese deployment is still within an “acceptable range”.

“We constantly monitor their presence. The 129 total is still within the range, acceptable range that we have been monitoring for the past two to three months,” he said in a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“Every now and then, there will be fluctuations from 92 to 132, the highest in the past three months [was] 156. Depending on the conditions of the water of the sea out there, then there will be changes but overall it is within acceptable limits,” he added.

The official also reiterated that Escoda Shoal is not the newest flashpoint in the WPS since tension could occur anywhere in the WPS due to China’s aggression.

“Sabina is not a flashpoint. It is the illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive (ICAD) activities, presence and messages of the agents of the Chinese Communist Party [that’s causing tension],” he said. 

“This is the cause of all the dynamics in the West Philippine Sea.”

Why China wants Escoda Shoal

Escoda Shoal, located just 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers from Palawan, is the rendezvous point for the AFP whenever it conducts resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

From Palawan, the AFP supply boats carrying food and other provisions for the troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre outpost meet with PCG ships acting as security escorts in Escoda Shoal before they sail together en route to Ayungin Shoal.

Earlier this year, the PCG noticed an unusual dumping of dead and crushed corals on the sandbars of Escoda Shoal, which it suspected as initial stages for land reclamation activities.

According to Trinidad, China taking control of Escoda Shoal would effectively mean that the AFP will have a harder time conducting its resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal. This may lead to the starvation of troops onboard the BRP Sierra Madre.

He said the PN saw “alarming” moves by China since 1992 when it started conducting land reclamation activities in the Spratly Island or Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), including the Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, Mabini (Johnson South) Reef, Burgos (Gaven) Reef, Zamora (Subi) Reef, McKennan (Hughes) Reef and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

“The alarm started in 1992 when we noticed Chinese Communist Party features, markers in the West Philippine Sea. What is happening now is a broad scheme of sea control for the entire, the vast expanse of the South China Sea,” he explained.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has coordinated with the PCG following Monday’s collision in Escoda Shoal “to enhance our maritime patrols and strengthen our presence in the West Philippine Sea.”

“We are also working with our regional partners and allies to ensure that all actions are in line with international law and to promote stability in the region,” she said.

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Chinese hospital ship on goodwill visit to Cape Town

A Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, has sailed from Maputo and can be expected to arrive in Cape Town on Thursday 22 August for a goodwill visit to South Africa’s ‘Mother City’.

The hospital ship sailed on 16 June this year from a military port in Zhoushan, an archipelago in east China’s Zhejiang Province.

During her cruise the ship is visiting 15 countries in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans with visits already completed to Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. Further calls will be made in South Africa, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, France, Greece, Djibouti and Sri Lanka.

The South African call will be at Cape Town where Peace Ark is currently headed. The vessel will dock at the Victoria & Alfred basin, berth jetty 2, until 29 August.

According to the original announcement medical services will be provided at each port, with 600-700 patients able to be treated per day.

The ship has over 100 people on board the floating hospital, featuring 300 beds, 20 ICU beds, 8 operating theatres, 17 clinical departments and 5 auxiliary diagnostic departments, and even an onboard medical rescue helicopter.

The ship is also equipped with a remote networking and communications system to allow teleconferencing with doctors and specialists on land.

In a statement, the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) said the fully fledged naval medical vessel will be operating alongside SAMHS medical staff and personnel in providing health service to the visiting local community of Cape Town and its outskirts. “South African National Defence Force high echelon and Provincial Department of Health officials will officiate at this event.”

The SA Navy and SA Air Force will provide logistical, technical and engineering support alongside the docked medical vessel.

The Type 920 hospital ship displaces 14 000 tons and has a length of 178 metres and width of 25 metres. She is the only ship of her class and is assigned to the PA Navy’s South Sea Fleet. Her pennant number is 866 and Chinese name is Daishan Dao but uses the name Peace Ark during peacetime.

Peace Ark was commissioned in 2008 and has since completed nine other ‘Mission Harmony’ cruises, this latest being the 10th. During her port visits the Peace Ark will provide free diagnosis and treatment for common and prevalent diseases to local residents, people in Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese through onboard clinics and dispatched medical teams.

Peace Ark’s visit to African and other countries is also aimed at improving relationships and cooperation as part of China’s foreign policy.

Written by Africa Ports & Ships with input from defenceWeb. The original Africa Ports article can be found here .

defenceWeb is Africa's largest and most trusted online source of news, information, research and insight on aerospace, defence and security matters.

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China says Philippine vessel ‘deliberately collided’ with Chinese vessel in Escoda Shoal waters

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

ESCODA SHOAL. Chinese ships in Escoda or Sabina Shoal on June 12.

Philippine Coast Guard

BEIJING, China – China’s Coast Guard said a Philippine vessel that had ignored its repeated warnings “deliberately collided” with a Chinese vessel in an “unprofessional and dangerous” manner in the disputed South China Sea , according to statements on Monday, August 20.

A short video of the incident posted on China Coast Guard’s social media showed the collision happened around 3:24 am on Monday (1924 GMT on Sunday) and labelled the Chinese vessel as a coast guard vessel.

In one of the statements, China’s maritime security said the same Philippine vessel then entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal after being prevented from entering Sabina Shoal waters.

Two Philippine Coast Guard vessels “illegally intruded” into waters adjacent to Sabina Shoal without permission in the early hours on Monday, according to the China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu.

“The Philippines has repeatedly provoked and caused trouble, violated the temporary arrangements between China and the Philippines,” Gan said, referring to Philippines’ supplies missions to a vessel grounded on Second Thomas Shoal.

China coast guard monitors Philippine patrol boats in Sabina Shoal

A Philippines Coast Guard spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China’s Coast Guard said it took control measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with the law in the incidents early Monday, and warned the Philippines to “immediately stop infringement and provocation” or “bear all consequences”.

China and the Philippines reached a “provisional agreement” in July after repeated altercations near the Second Thomas Shoal. China has been sharply criticized by Western nations for aggression in blocking Philippine efforts to resupply troops aboard a navy ship it intentionally grounded 25 years ago.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, including both shoals, rejecting a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that Beijing’s expansive claims had no basis under international law.

Why is the China Coast Guard’s biggest ship still in Escoda Shoal?

– Rappler.com

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