Qikou in Shanxi, China, is an ancient ferry crossing along the Yellow River in the midst of the Lüliang Mountains. The waterway is bustling with activity, with boats travelling through the river. In the past, when navigating against the current or encountering shallow waters, human labor was required for manual towing. To avoid the inconvenience of water splashing and clothes rubbing, boatmen would often work naked. An elderly man from the Yellow River, named Li Shixi, is a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Yellow River boatmen in Shanxi. Boat trackers embody the spirit of hard work, resilience, and determination, serving as the spirits of the Yellow River. The indelible image of these bent figures, with bowed backs, will forever linger in people's memories.