In Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, the rhythmic beat of drums echoed across the Lhasa River as paddlers raced through the water during the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival. Cheers rose from spectators along the banks at what is known as the world's highest-altitude dragon boat event.

What makes the race particularly unique are the vessels themselves. In addition to conventional dragon boats, competitors also paddle traditional Tibetan bullhide boats, watercraft with a history spanning more than a thousand years.

Bullhide boats were once an essential means of transportation on the plateau. Dating back to the Tubo period, they were widely used to ferry people and goods across rivers. Murals in the Potala Palace depict craftsmen using such boats to transport red clay and stone during the palace’s construction centuries ago.

In Junba Village, once known for its ferry crossings, the tradition has been preserved for generations. Local resident Laba Tsering is an inheritor of the bullhide boat dance known as "Kuozi."

"Before bridges were built in Lhasa, bullhide boats were the main way to cross the river," Laba Tsering said. "People used them to transport goods and passengers. The elders in our village have kept the tradition alive."

Over time, the boats have taken on new cultural significance. In 2008, the bullhide boat dance was included on China's national list of intangible cultural heritage. Today, the craft is also part of cultural tourism experiences, attracting visitors eager to learn about the region's traditions.

"I've welcomed many tourists and students who come to experience bullhide boats," Laba said. "I hope to continue promoting this heritage."

Images of bullhide boats appear widely in Tibetan cultural heritage. Murals in major monasteries, including Jokhang Temple, feature the vessels. Local legends also say Princess Wencheng once crossed rivers in a bullhide boat when she traveled to Xizang in the 7th century.

While modern bridges and railways have replaced the boats' role as everyday transport, they remain a powerful cultural symbol.

Construction of the Lhasa Bridge began in 1954, ending centuries of ferry crossings on the river. Today, bridges span the waterway, while major infrastructure projects such as the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, the Sichuan–Xizang Railway, and the Sichuan–Xizang Highway have strengthened connectivity across the plateau.

As transportation networks continue to expand, the ancient bullhide boats are finding new life in festivals, performances and cultural tourism, carrying their legacy forward into the future.

(All photos via CGTN)