The second day of the second lunar month is a day to worship the Dragon God in Chinese custom. On this day each year, people pray for the Dragon God to get good wishes for favorable weather, abundant harvests, peace, and a smooth year by holding dragon boat events.

2024 National Dragon Boat Grand Launching Ceremony and the first station of the Nanhai Dragon Boat Super League (Jiujiang) will be held from 9:00 to 13:30 on March 11 at Yanqiao Ancient Village, Jiujiang Town, Nanhai District, Foshan.

Dragon boat race at the village

Time: March 11, 2024, 9:00-13:30

Location: Yanqiao Ancient Village, Jiujiang Town, Nanhai, Foshan

"Dragon Boat Raising" Ceremony

Before the dragon boat event, many preparation steps need to be completed, such as worshipping the River God, cleaning and decorating the boat. After the ceremony of "Caiqing" (people pick the vegetable hanging from the ceiling by lion dance), which symbolizes the awakening of the "sleeping dragon", it can officially go into the water for dragon boat racing.

People are preparing for the ceremony

Jiujiang Dragon Boat: Symbol of Culture and Heritage

Jiujiang is the first "Dragon Boat Town" in China. For hundreds of years, the dragon boat event has been one of the grandest custom activities in this town, and it is loved by the people and conveys positive attitude and solidarity spirit.

Currently, Jiujiang has more than 600 dragon boats, which is the town that has the most dragon boats in Nanhai District. In 2007, Jiujiang's traditional dragon boats were listed in the district-level first batch of the intangible cultural heritage protection catalogue. In 2012, dragon boat racing (the traditional dragon boat of Jiujiang) was listed in the provincial-level fourth batch of the intangible cultural heritage catalogue.

Dragon boat events have always been one of the grandest folk activities in Jiujiang

Dragon Boat Parade

The themes of traditional dragon boat parade this year include traditional cultures of various places and elements of other industries, such as Foshan Kung Fu, Foshan Lion Dance, Foshan Dragon Boat, etc. The decoration of the dragon boats is wonderful and the overall appearance of these boat resembles real dragons dancing on the water.

Dragon Boat Race

Approximately 264 members will use 12 standard dragon boats to engage in a 100-meter x 4 round-trip race in Nanhai District. Dragon boat racing has witnessed the perseverance and progress of the people in Foshan, showcasing the vitality and charm of the region.

Dragon Boat Feast

As the saying goes, "Eating dragon boat feast, having a strong body." After the dragon boat race, you can taste the thousand-person dragon boat cultural feast. Eating the dragon boat feast symbolizes a year of favorable weather and abundant harvests.

Scene of Dragon Boat Feast in Jiujiang

Reporter丨Zoey

Revisor丨Eleanor, Lynn

Photo | Foshan News and Media Center