Luliang (China), sampan on the River Pi

Near LuliangThis river craft on the River Pi was called a Sampan. Sampans differed from junks. Junks operated in the deeper waters of bays and coast lines. Sampans were of shallower draft and were used on rivers and backwaters. The boatman steers his craft as it moved with the current. On board the craft are bundles of rice for market. The rolled up sail was made of bamboo mats and was raised when the necessary wind came up. The highways of China at that time were its rivers.GrayscaleBox