As the Duanwu Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival holiday approaches, Hunan Province has entered the time for the annual "Dragon Boat Race". An array of dragon boat races are coming. Let's check them out!

Zhongfang County Sub-race of the 2024 Huaihua Traditional Dragon Boat Race

Duration: June 16 to 20

Venues: Tongding Village Dock on the Yuanshui River in Tongding Town, Zhongfang County; downstream section from the dam of Tongwan Hydropower Station in Tongwan Town, Zhongfang County; and, Jingping Village Dock on the Wushui River, Zhongfang County

Activities: dragon boat races to be attended by 74 teams; Yanwei (swallow tail) dragon boat manufacturing technique presentation and Yanwei dragon boat intangible cultural heritage exhibition; intangible cultural heritage shows of Bawangbian dance and double-barrelled suona by the inheritors; and, cultural tourism resources showcases of Jingping and Huangxi ancient villages.

Chenxi County Sub-race of the 2024 Huaihua Traditional Dragon Boat Race

Duration: June 17 – 19

Venues: Huangxikou Tonw and Tanwan Town, Chenxi County

Activities: dragon boat races to be attended by 135 teams; and, performances of Chenhe Gaoqiang opera, Chashan folk songs, Yao ethnic costumes, and Qia Long Chuan (dragon boat fight) performances.

Yuanling County Sub-race of the 2024 Huaihua Traditional Dragon Boat Race

Duration: June 20 – 23

Venue: Dragon Boat Square racing track in Yuanling County

Activities: dragon boat races to be attended by 46 teams; dragon culture experience activities; promotions of Zhonghuashu Mountain, Longxingjiang Temple, and Jiemuxi Scenic Area; and, promotions of Yuanling's specialty food and intangible cultural heritage experience activities.

Xupu County Sub-race of the 2024 Huaihua Traditional Dragon Boat Race

Duration: June 21 – 23

Venue: Dajiangkou Town, Xupu County

Activities: demonstration dragon boat races to be attended by 48 men's teams and 6 women's teams, and sprint races to be attended by 48 men's teams; promotions of Xupu's specialty snacks such as pillow Zongzi, ice jelly, Baxian wormwood glutinous rice cake, kudzu root noodles, rice pudding, etc.; and, culture and tourism promotion activities.

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

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: official Wechat account of Hunan Culture and Tourism Department