The Dragon Boat Festival is just a week away. While dragon boat races are held in various districts of Hong Kong, how about a change of pace this year? DotDotNews takes you to the "Water Sports Meet" of Guangzhou today (June 12), starting next Monday (June 15). Be sure to save this schedule of dragon boat tours so you don't miss a single exciting competition!
A Thousand-Year Tradition: Guangzhou's Dragon Boat History Exceeds 1100 Years
The history of "dragon boat racing" in Guangzhou can be traced back more than 1100 years to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. At that time, Liu Yan, the ruler of the Southern Han Kingdom, dredged the Jade Liquid Pond in Guangzhou and held a court dragon boat race every Dragon Boat Festival. This tradition reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, becoming a highly representative folk culture of the Pearl River Delta, and was officially designated as the "Dragon Boat Festival" by the Guangzhou Government in 1994.
Three Key Cultural Features: Understanding the Ins and Outs of Dragon Boat Racing in Guangzhou
"Raising the Dragon Boat" Ceremony: To prevent the wooden dragon boats from drying out and rotting in the sun, villagers bury them deep in the riverbed mud. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, an auspicious day is chosen to hold the "Raising the Dragon" ceremony, which awakens the boats and brings them out of the water.
Visiting Villages and Racing: Dragon boat activities in Guangzhou are divided into two forms: "Visiting Villages" (where dragon boats from different villages visit each other, performing without ranking, showcasing camaraderie) and "Racing" (a competitive race).
Blending Tradition and Modernity: While dragon boat racing used to be exclusively male, now there are women's dragon boat teams in places like Liede Village, demonstrating the cultural depth and vitality of the new era.
Dragon Boat Visit Schedule (June 15-19)
June 15 (Monday)
Shixi Village, Huanxi Village, Liantang Village, Huangcun Village
Recommended Locations: Along the Fuquan section of Shixi Canal, and the Shenyong section (opposite the east gate of Yangtao Park).
June 16 (Tuesday)
Chisha, Pazhou, Guanzhou, Beishan, Luntou, Beiting, Nanting
Recommended Location: Xiaozhou Bridge in University Town, offering opportunities to capture photos of the Guangzhou skyline and dragon boats.
June 17 (Wednesday)
Yuancun, Pazhou, Tancun, Chengjiexi Village
Recommended shooting locations: Linjiang Avenue, near Beian Cultural Wharf
June 18 (Thursday, The main event!)
Datang, Longtan, Xincun, etc.
Recommended shooting location: "Guangzhou Venice" shooting location in Datang Village, located next to Datang Sunshine Apartment
June 19 (Friday)
Liede, Yangji, Xiancun, Siyou, Shipai, etc.
Recommended shooting locations: Liede Drum Tower, Jinsui Road, Haiju Road (northwest side of Zhujiang Park)
Important Notes
Respect Customs: Do not stand on the bridge when the dragon boats pass (unless you want to be hit by firecrackers at point-blank range).
Time is Key: Dragon boat tours are mostly held in the morning, with fewer in the afternoon, so don't go empty-handed.
Secure Your Spot Early: For those heading to the "Hundreds of Boats Racing" at Liede, be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot; if it's too crowded, the view from the neighboring Xiancun village is also quite nice.
The annual Dragon Boat Festival season, even more lively than the Spring Festival, is just around the corner! Save the schedule now and experience the "water carnival" of Guangzhou!
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