CHONGQING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- At the break of dawn, distinct whistles broke the tranquility of the Yangtze River, signaling a ferry's departure from Yangdu township in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
For Qin Dayi, the captain, the ferry offers a journey essential to many, though it was once on the verge of vanishing.
The "Yu Zhong Ke 2180" ferry, the last "water bus" connecting Yangdu to the county seat at Xishan Wharf, makes six stops before reaching its final destination.
The ferry begins its journey every day at 6:30 a.m., and returns in the afternoon. For over a decade, Qin has navigated this route, a constant presence on the river even as times changed and most other boats disappeared.
Passengers are mostly farmers heading into the county to sell their goods. In the past, poor road conditions meant that locals relied heavily on river transportation. Nearly 10 ferries once operated routes between Yangdu and the county, with dozens of trips daily.
However, in 2016, a new expressway reduced the travel time by bus to just 50 minutes, compared to the two-hour boat journey. Most residents switched to bus travel, but many farmers still preferred the boat, which accommodated their bulky baskets of farm produce and live animals. The fare is also much cheaper.
With the decline in passenger numbers, the fleet of ferries dwindled until only Qin and his partner, Cao Lifang, were left operating the ferry. Despite the financial strain, Qin kept the ticket prices unchanged for over 10 years.
The ferry, carrying the hopes of the farmers and their families, was on the brink of ceasing operations. Qin faced a choice: to sell the boat or to continue running at a loss.
In September 2022, Qin's son, Qin Yuanze, returned home. Worried that the ferry might be sold, he began documenting his father's life on the boat and the daily ferry operations. He posted these videos on social media.
The unfiltered portrayal of their life quickly gained popularity, amassing over 2 million followers. Many viewers left supportive comments and donations, hoping to help the farmers.
The influx of goodwill provided enough funds for the ferry's operations and allowed Captain Qin and Cao to buy breakfast for the farmers, purchase unsold vegetables to donate to welfare homes, and rent a storefront near Xishan Wharf for the farmers to rest.
Upon arriving at Xishan Wharf, Qin Dayi often helps the farmers sell their produce. For those unfamiliar with digital transactions, he provides small change to help them with sales.
In May, the local government established a temporary market just 100 meters from the pier to support this initiative, eliminating the farmers' need to trek 30 minutes to the main market. Additionally, the maritime authorities created a dedicated route outside the main Yangtze navigation channel for the "water bus."
"As long as there are people who need this service, the ferry will keep running," said Qin Dayi. With a firm grip on the helm, he sounded the whistle, ready to continue his journey on China's longest river. ■
