Where to See Dragon Boat Races in China?

The dragon boat races are held in all over China during the Dragon Boat Festival (May28th-30th). Here I recommend you seven good places to enjoy the wonderful races.

Xixi Marsh

Xixi Marsh Park is located in the west of Hangzhou, only 5 km from the West Lake. Here the annual Xixi International Dragon Boat Race is held. Tourists can watch the wonderful race, take part in the competition of Making Zongzi (Zongzi: steamed glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves), make scent bags, dot realgar wine (children dot the realgar wine on their face to avoid evil and disaster influences in this festival), watch Xixi Kung Fu show, Shaoxing opera, and "boxing boat" performance, taste the "Five Yellow (Wu Huang)" (Huang Shan -- finless eel; Huang Yu -- yellow-fin tuna; Huang gua -- cucumber; Salted duck egg; Xiong Huang -- realgar wine. If all these cannot tickle your curiosity, you can visit the nearby Dragon Boat Museum in Hezhu Street to learn how to carve the dragon heads (they are put on the dragon boat) from the aged folk artists.

How to get: take tourist bus No.5 at Huanglong Travel Center to Xixi Marsh Park; take tourist bus No.13 at Lingyin to Xixi Marsh Park; take bus No.310 from Shima to Luojia Zhuang, and take off at Zhoujiacun Village.

Xin'an River (Xin'an Jiang)

A main stream of the Qiantang River in Zhejiang. The river is 373 km, flanked by beautiful green hills and numerous historical sites. The dragon boat drifting here is held in the river. If fortune favors, you can see the local fishermen's traditional wedding ceremony.

How to get: Take the express bus from Hangzhou to Xin'an Jiang.

Cangqian

Cangqian old town is located in Yuhang District, Hangzhou. The dragon boat race here is considered the most traditional in China.

How to get: Take the bus from Gudang to Cangqian

White Dragon Pool

About 20 km away from Hangzhou. Interestingly, here the dragon boat race is not held in water but on the land. The participants are adults and children. Here you can see a big white marble dragon in the pool (25m in length, 3.6 in height) and the beautiful White Dragon Waterfall.

How to get: Take bus in Longxiangqiao Bridge in Hangzhou to Zhuangtang Town, and then transfer to the White Dragon Pool by minibus.

Yue Yang

A cultural city with over 2,500 year history in the northeast of Hunan Province. Yue Yang is known as the birthplace of dragon boat culture of China. Here, the tourists not only can enjoy dragon boat race but watch the motorboat, energized parachute and local customs performances. In Yue Yang, there are many attractions for your exploration: Yue Yang Tower, Dongting Lake, Junshan Mountain, Bianhe Street, Zhangguying Village (famous for its unique style buildings).

Fenghuang Old Town (Phoenix Old Town)

Fenghuang Old Town is located in Hunan Province. The town has more than 1,000 year history. The annual dragon boat race here is held in the Tuojiang River. Attractions: East Gate Tower, the former residence of Shencong Wen, former residence of Xiongxiling, Southern Great Wall, Tianxing Mountain, Tuojiang Diaojiaolou buildings, Furong Old Town.

Zhanjiang

In Zhanjiang, Guangdong, the international dragon boat race is held in the sea in May 28th. Nearby attractions: Hu Guang Rock National Geological Park, Donghaidao Island Tourist Resort, Seashore Park, Hai An White Sand Bay.

How to get: take flight from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Zhanjiang.

(Issued on May 19th, 2009, by China Fact Tours)