A dragon boat has “leapt” into the subway station. On May 27, a full-sized, flag-draped ceremonial dragon boat—a signature piece of Xixi’s national-level intangible cultural heritage “Dragon Boat Festival”—appeared at Hangzhou International Airport’s metro station hall, drawing a crowd of phone-wielding locals and travelers.

Xixi’s dragon boat culture runs deep. It began in the Tang dynasty, flourished in the Southern Song, and really hit the big time when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty caught a race during his southern tour and gave the event its imperial seal of approval, christening it the “Dragon Boat Rally.” Since then, it’s been a local legend. Two of its variants—Wuchang’s and Jiangcun’s—have since been listed as national intangible cultural heritage, making them iconic folk customs of Hangzhou.

But here’s the thing: Xixi dragon boats aren’t about speed. They don’t race the clock—they race to put on a show. With different boat styles like “full flag,” “half flag,” and “bareback dragon boat,” and all kinds of fancy, playful oaring moves, they carry the soul of water-town culture and centuries of local spirit.

“The full-flag boat? It’s the Rolls-Royce of dragon boats. An icon of Xixi culture,” says Shen Ronggen, head of the Jiangcun Dragon Boat Association, clearly proud. “This one took us nearly a year to build—about seven meters long and four meters high, flying close to fifty flags. It looks magnificent.” He points out details: a young dragon prince figure behind the dragon head, a decorated archway carved with scenes from Water Margin, and a forest of banners—commander flags, tiger-head flags, dragon flags, triangular pennants. Every inch is old-school craftsmanship.

Why stick a boat like this in a subway station? Ye Zhaoxiang, brand communications director at Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Operation Management Co., explains: “Xixi’s dragon boat culture is really unique, and Xiaoshan Airport is Hangzhou’s front door—it’s where we greet visitors from all over. We want to share Xixi’s story with more people, right in the public spaces they pass through.”

And there’s more. “On Dragon Boat Festival day itself—June 19—Xixi Wetland is holding the 2026 Hangzhou Xixi Dragon Boat Culture Festival. Anyone interested can head to Shentan Mouth or Bangkou Bridge and catch the real deal, live,” Ye adds, extending a warm invitation.

The full-flag dragon boat display runs through late October. So just hop on the metro to Xiaoshan International Airport Station, and you’re right there, face to face with living heritage, no hassle at all.