By Yuling Chen, EDITOR

A video of a six-story building floating on the Yangtze River wen viral on WeChat, a popular social media platform in China, last month.

The news later showed it was the relocation of a catering ship. Where is it going? And how about the relocation? Here are some facts and details about these questions.

A building cruising along the Yangtze River

“A building springs up from the river, with cars running on the top.” “Fuling District (in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality) sees a drifting house on the Yangtze River.” Recently, a “magical building” around Huangqi Dock, Fuling District,  has become a hit on Chinese social media platforms.

This “magical building” is actually an unpowered ship, docking at an estuary and beneath a bridge. Due to the perspective of the shot, it looks like a house on the water, with a highway on its top.

Seen closely, however, it is Impression Jiangjin—a famous local floating restaurant. A kindergarten on the shore provides the best viewpoint for shooting Impression Jiangjin. Teachers said they had witnessed endless streams of photography lovers here in the past month.

The restaurant used to offering different entertainment, such as dining and karaoke, has since closed its doors.  Moreover, six or seven outside units of central air conditioners are set up on the first-floor ship board.

A renowned floating restaurant in Jiangjin District

“It is a catering and recreation ship combined with dining and singing.” Mr. Xie, a local resident of Jiangjin District, recalled Impression Jiangjin. Around the opening in August 2017, it became well-known for its luxurious decoration.

However, a majority of such restaurants are built through unauthorized modification and illegal extension. They grew out of obsolete fishing boats, scrapped ferries or idle barges. Dilapidated hulls, plus non-standard mooring anchors, may easily trigger the dangers of stranding and others.

Catering ships have been in danger or damaged due to floods over the years. Based on environmental regulation, therefore, Chongqing has carried out a full-scale banning and renovation on floating restaurants. Failing to meet relevant standards, eight floating restaurants have to exit the market.

As of early November 2018, seven ships had completed withdrawals. As a result, Impression Jiangjin became the only one floating on the river, arousing heated discussions among local residents. In fact, this restaurant, without the supply of water and electricity, has shut down.

Who is going to take over the floating building?

“It was built just a year ago. So the owner wants to find a takeover.” According to the former shop assistant, the former owner planned to restart running the restaurant after relocation at first. Nevertheless, renovation costs turned out to be high. 

After strenuous efforts, this nearly new floating restaurant has finally obtained a new owner, avoiding dismantling.

This huge structure without power can only be dragged. After the local maritime authority evaluated the removal safety, relocation commenced. Impression Jiangjin, the floating restaurant was transferred to Fuling District for a temporary berth.

Maybe a restaurant again or a museum

According to a staff of the new takeover, it is an original intention to complete rectification in strict accordance with the requirements. Then the restaurant could once again open. However, it is still uncertain whether market research results meet the operating conditions or the rectification is up to standard. So the final decision hasn’t been made yet.

There is another idea. That is to develop this floating restaurant into a water museum, displaying the development history of ships and shipping on the Three Gorges. The specific plans still need to be further detailed.

But what remains certain is the restaurant will not end up in Fuling District, but a city at lower reaches of Fuling section. Wanzhou District, with a high water table, has no towing condition has been selected as the destination in the near future. Consequently, the restaurant will be moved there for more work after the water recedes.

Source: CQWB

Relevant links:

Chongqing Fuling Comprehensive Bonded Zone to Operate Before Next September

A Must-See Parade: Floats Show in Wanzhou