The motive power for these smaller canal barges was fascinating to me. They all seemed to have the same setup, which appeared to be a one to four cylinder gas engine cantilevered out over the stern, with a vertical drive shaft mounted just at the stern of the hull. I can't imagine what the gearing is like in this arrangement, but it must be inexpensive and reliable (or at least easy for the layman to fix). These smaller barges were all over the rivers and canals, carrying smaller loads, and obviously making their owners some amount of income.

This is one more example of the current burgeoning of capitalism throughout China; enabling almost anyone who can raise a small amount of capital either through family and friends, or from a bank, to start up some small business and keep their profits.