Each spring, a dragon boat crafted in Hangzhou, China, reappears on Boston’s Charles River, symbolizing a longstanding sister-city relationship between the two cities. This dragon boat, distinctive for its hull painted in the blue-green color representing Hangzhou’s West Lake and adorned with the emblematic Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, embodies cultural exchange and connection that dates back more than four decades.
The partnership traces to Leslie Swartz, co-founder of Boston’s Dragon Boat Festival, who introduced the traditional sport of dragon boat racing to Boston in the late 1970s. Swartz, then an adviser to the Boston Children’s Museum with an interest in Chinese culture, traveled to Hangzhou in 1982 to help establish one of the earliest sister-city agreements between the United States and China. Beyond its formal diplomatic nature, Swartz describes the relationship as rooted in shared affinities, noting both cities’ deep ties to water—with West Lake central to Hangzhou, and the Charles River and harbor integral to Boston—as well as their rich traditions of education and intellectual life.
Educational exchanges remain a core component of the partnership. Richard Chang, principal of Boston’s Josiah Quincy Upper School, took 18 students to Hangzhou in May as part of a school trip. Many students expressed surprise at encountering a modern, prosperous city that differed sharply from the narrow portrayals of China often presented in Western media. During their visit, they toured Zhejiang University, observed robotics laboratories, and learned about local technology firms such as the artificial intelligence company DeepSeek.
Chang emphasized the importance of firsthand experience in fostering cross-cultural understanding. One memorable moment involved interactions with actors portraying Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo, a historic Hangzhou figure. The students’ recognition of Su Dongpo highlighted how immersive experiences can deepen their appreciation for another culture beyond textbook knowledge.
The exchange has also facilitated direct connections between students. In Hangzhou, Quincy students met peers including Tong Yuqi from Hangzhou No. 14 High School. Tong noted that discussions about academics, exams, and daily life revealed shared realities and reduced perceived emotional distances between the groups. “Once you really spend time together, you realize that the distance between us isn’t as great as you might have imagined,” Tong said.
The relationship works reciprocally as well. This summer, Zhejiang University students studying at Boston University found elements of their home city visible in Boston, such as the dragon boat races on the Charles River. Student Wu Shuangyang described the cultural prominence of dragon boating in the city, while Peng Yuxi noted the collaborative spirit she encountered in U.S. academic settings.
Liu Guozhu, director of the Center for American Studies at Zhejiang University, highlighted the enduring significance of people-to-people contact in China-U.S. relations. He referenced historical milestones including the engagement of journalist Edgar Snow with China, the Ping-Pong Diplomacy of the 1970s, and a North American redwood tree planted in Hangzhou following President Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit. For Liu, cultural and educational exchanges persist as vital components of bilateral ties, offering resilience even amid periods of political tension. “The motivation comes from the need for exchange,” he said.
Together, these ongoing interactions reflect a relationship that transcends political fluctuations, grounded in shared heritage, mutual curiosity, and the continuous pursuit of understanding through personal connection.