Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong: Traditional Celebrations and Dragon Boat Races
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As one of the most vibrant and culturally-rich festivals in Hong Kong, the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival (端午節), is celebrated with great fervour every year. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On this day, dragon boat racing is undeniably the center of the spotlight, with different teams of paddlers fighting their way to the finish line. This well-known sports event attracts both locals and tourists each year to participate. Deeply embedded in the culture of Hong Kong, dragon boat racing has grown to become a major, globally recognized event. In the Tokyo Olympics 2021, the dragon boat race is included as a demonstration sport, displaying the increasing significance of dragon boat racing. It represents a big step forward for this sport event to set foot in the Olympic Games.
Let’s find out more about this wonderful festival so you can enjoy it to the fullest!
The Story of the Dragon Boat Festival
The festival has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. There are various stories about the origin of this festival, but the most well-known is the commemoration of the Chinese poet Qu Yuan. During the turmoil of the Zhou dynasty, he was exiled for warning his king and his motherland eventually got destroyed, he then threw himself into the Miluo River out of despair. People attempted to save him by racing dragon boats, and throwing rice dumplings into the river to protect his body from being eaten. Today, dragon boat racing and eating rice dumplings have become how people celebrate the festival, and dragon boat racing has changed from a memorial event to a sports event.
Dragon Boat Race in Hong Kong
Dragon boat racing is unquestionably a popular and iconic activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. It involves teams of people paddling long boats shaped like dragons to compete for the fastest time, and the race is incredibly fast-paced and thrilling. Teams practise hard for weeks leading up to the festival, perfecting their technique and honing their skills in order to have the best chance at winning on race day. It is an exciting event that draws large crowds every year, with spectators lining the banks of the river or lake, cheering on their teams as they race to be the first to cross the finish line. The sight and sound of dozens of boats competing against each other is something to behold. Colourful flags fluttering in the breeze and the powerful beating of drums provide an exciting atmosphere.
Dragon boat races take place in different places in Hong Kong, including Stanley, Aberdeen, Saikung, Cheung Chau, Tai O, Sha Tin, Tai Po etc. The Stanley warm-up race and main race (which is usually hosted on the same day as the Dragon Boat Festival) are two of the most popular dragon boat races in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Dragon Boat Races also attract numerous dragon boat paddlers to attend each year. Whether it’s participating in the races or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there is always something for everyone to enjoy at this iconic event. If you miss the Stanley main races at Dragon Boat Festival this year, don’t worry! The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will be held from 24th to 25th June this year, in the Victoria Harbour. Be sure to join this amazing event!
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Team
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten
There are different dragon boat teams in Hong Kong that you can choose from. Just by looking at the HKCDBA club member page, there are 100+ dragon boat teams in Hong Kong that you can choose to join. It is worth spending some time exploring different dragon boat teams before choosing the one you would like to commit to. There are a few factors that you might consider for your decision-making such as the commitment, the community, and the budget.
Decide whether you want to join a recreational or competitive dragon boat team. Recreational teams focus more on fun activities such as practice races and tours while competitive teams have regular competitions that require hard work and dedication. When it comes to deciding which dragon boat team in hong kong fits you the most, consider how much time, energy you can commit to dragon boat training and races, the community that you feel engaged, and the goals you want to achieve. Bigger teams usually have a greater variety of activities, and smaller teams usually have a more family-like community vibe. Many corporations also have their own dragon boat team for their employees. The corporate team would be a wonderful team to join and engage with your colleagues outside of a working environment.
Traditional Celebrations of Dragon Boat Festival
Photo by Mae Mu
On top of participating in Dragon Boat Races as a paddler or as an audience during the Dragon Boat Festival, many people in Hong Kong would also celebrate this festival with family and friends by making and eating rice dumplings (糉). The Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong is more than just a sporting event. It is a celebration of tradition, culture, and community. It’s an exciting time to experience the fun activities that come with this holiday, such as dragon boat racing, eating rice dumpling, and most importantly, gathering with family and friends. Whether you planning a relaxing day on this puclic holiday or want to get a taste of the cultural experience, enjoying the Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong will surely bring you an astonishing piece of memory! Now, are you ready to give Dragon Boat paddling a go? Longer, deeper and stronger!
Thanks for being an appreciative reader as always! If you enjoy reading this blog post, please share it with your family and friends! We wish you a very happy Dragon Boat Festival!
June 2023
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The Qraftie blog aims to provide you stories related to craftsmanship, culture and lifestyle around Hong Kong.
