As the name tells, marble boat is an ornamental structure mainly built of stone. In Mandarin, it is often called “shifang” or “shichuan” (both mean “boat of marble”), and in some areas, it is also called “hanchuan” (a similar meaning of “land boat”).
Built by the shore, normally in a lake, a marble boat has a stone base underwater, and its body is also built of stone. On its deck, there are often cabins either built of stone or wood, making the whole structure the shape of a luxurious boat in ancient times. If not partially on land, a marble boat is often accessible by means of a bridge. Aboard on the boat, people can appreciate the beautiful scenery on the lake, never having to worry about the safety of the boat.
Marble boats are usually built in large gardens, and the largest one “floats” in the lake of the Summer Palace of Beijing, a garden for the royal family of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Named as “Qingyanfang” by Emperor Qianlong, the boat was first built in 1755, completely of white stones and with a total length of 36 meters. When rebuilt in 1893 on the order of Empress Cixi, the boat combined the Chinese style with a Western one. The windows of the cabin were paned with stained glass, and the floor was paved with enameled tiles. It is said that the ambitious empress used to inspect the exercise of her naval units on the boat.
Another place to see typical Chinese marble boats is the area around the City of Nanjing, especially Suzhou and Yangzhou. Famous for their waterside buildings and gardens, these cities can present you with a great view of marble boats with the unique style of South China. Marble boats, waterside pavilions and small bridges are in such harmony with nature that they earned these cities the name of “Paradise on Earth”.
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