International dragon boat teams from more than ten countries arrived at the Miluo River International Dragon Boat Race Center, Yueyang, on June 18, 2023. The competitors will undergo professional training on the river to prepare for the 2023 Miluo River International Dragon Boat Race, which will kick off on June 21.

Equipped with life vests and paddles, foreign paddlers will board dragon boats on the Miluo River. Though it will be a new experience for some of them, they have trained hard with their coaches, working together in teams, in order to row with good form.

One competitor, Mi Na (her Chinese name) from Tajikistan, has resided in China for more than three years. She studies at the School of Chinese Studies (School of Central Asia) at Xi'an International Studies University. Each year, the school organizes traditional Chinese festival activities such as making zongzi (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves), dumplings, and mooncakes. She once took part in a Chinese opera performance at the Xi'an Yisu Theatre, playing the qingyi role after a two-hour make-up session. "I am so excited that I can experience Chinese culture on my own! It is really different from what I've seen online," she said. Chinese culture has such a long history, and after experiencing it for herself, she recalled the old Chinese saying, "hearing about it a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once!"

The international paddlers train on the Miluo River for the dragon boat race.

"It is so interesting!" After their training was completed, Jin Liya (her Chinese name) from Russia and Wang Xia (Chinese name) from Kazakhstan were eager for more, looking forward to the series of activities to commemorate the 2300th anniversary of the death of Qu Yuan. Through these abundant and colorful activities, they hope to come to a deeper understanding of China's Duanwu Festival culture.

Located on the Miluo River, Miluo City is famous because of Qu Yuan, a well-known patriotic poet in ancient China. It is also known as "China’s Dragon Boat City," as well as "the Hometown of the Dragon Boat." Dragon boat activities have a long history here with the broad participation of local residents, presenting “On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, launch the dragon boats onto the water and beat the drums!" Such folk proverbs have long been passed down by word of mouth along the banks of the Miluo River, reflecting the courage and pioneering spirit of the people.

A group photo of an international rowing team.

This year's dragon boat race is a part of the 2023 Hunan International Cultural Tourism Festival and the Series of Activities to Commemorate the 2300th Anniversary of the Death of Qu Yuan. It will be held in three phases – international events, domestic event, and traditional events.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Yueyang Daily