About this experience
Arrive 30 min early — Boarding closes 10 min before departure. Late arrivals may be denied boarding.
In May 2026, a new legend set sail on the Pearl River. Her name is Jixiang Fang — “Auspicious Boat” — and she is unlike anything that has sailed these waters before.
Built by Jianglong Shipbuilding and designed by China Shipbuilding’s No. 605 Research Institute, Jixiang Fang is the crown jewel of Guangzhou‘s “one boat, one theme” fleet renewal project . At 46 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, she carries 435 passengers across three levels of immersive cultural experience .
This is not just a boat. This is a floating museum of Nanyue culture .
Her design draws from the royal courts of the Nanyue Kingdom (203–111 BCE) — a mysterious Han dynasty-era realm that ruled much of today‘s Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern Vietnam. The vessel’s exterior and interior faithfully recreate the aesthetic of that lost civilization: black-and-red royal color palette, bronze-age Baiyue tribal patterns, and symmetrical palace layouts .
The hull itself is a work of art. The bow and sides feature towering golden dragon reliefs — a motif of “Dragon Soaring Through Auspicious Clouds” that signals power, protection, and good fortune. For overseas Chinese visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, this visual language resonates deeply with cultural memory .
Beneath the ancient exterior lies cutting-edge green technology. Jixiang Fang is powered by a fully electric lithium-battery system with azimuth thrusters — zero emissions, near-zero noise, and no diesel fumes . The catamaran hull design ensures exceptional stability, making her comfortable even for elderly passengers or those prone to seasickness .
The journey unfolds as a three-act performance:
Act I – Nanyue Banquet (First Deck): Guests enter through a Qin-Han dynasty archway, surrounded by bronze-pattern decor and Han-style lighting. A 75.57-square-meter LED screen hosts ceremonial performances, while Cantonese delicacies are served in Han-dynasty-style vessels.
Act II – Time Travel (Second Deck Mezzanine): Performers weave through the dining tables. The mezzanine ceiling LED syncs with the first-floor stage. Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows frame the glittering Pearl River skyline.
Act III – Night Painting (Third Deck Rooftop): An archaeological gallery displays Nanyue site maps and territorial charts. The open-air observation deck offers unobstructed 360° views — Canton Tower, Haixinsha Island, and Liede Bridge glowing against the night sky.
This is the Pearl River reimagined. Ancient and electric. Cultural and breathtaking. Auspicious and unforgettable.