Dragon boat culture has thrived in Guangdong's rivers and creeks for over 300 years. It's set to feature as part of the mass sports program in the 15th National Games of China in 2025. To celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, cities across Guangdong are gearing up for a packed calendar of events. Here's a roundup of the key races not to miss.
Guangzhou
2025 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament (2025年广州国际龙舟邀请赛)
The tournament will bring together 116 teams and over 4,000 athletes this year. The race will include 600-meter straight-line sprints for dragon boats with 22 crew members in four categories: men's open, women's open, men's international, and university.
In addition to the intense dragon boat racing, the event features traditional dragon performances, including colorful dragon boat races and dragon boat parades.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Time: 9:00–16:30, June 1
Spectator area: South bank of the race section (near the Sun Yat-Sen University North Gate). The public can watch the race on the riverside trail between the Square of Sun Yat-Sen University North Gate and Guangzhou Bridge.
More events in Guangzhou:
1. Dragon boat event at Liede Creek
Time: May 31
Location: Liede Creek, Tianhe District (天河区猎德涌内)
Highlights: Gathering of dragon boats (morning), dragon boat parade (afternoon)
2. Dragon Boat Festival activities in Haizhu Wetland Park
Time: Dragon boat race on May 31 (afternoon), Parent-child Dragon Boat Race on June 1, Dragon Boat "Village Super League" on June 2 (morning), Dragon Boat Open Race on June 2 (afternoon)
Location: Ailian Pavilion, Haizhu Wetland Phase 2 (海珠湿地二期爱莲亭)
3. Traditional dragon boat rituals
Time: May 31
Location: Litchi Bay Scenic Area, Xiguang Yongqing Fang Tourist Area (广州西关永庆坊旅游区荔枝湾景区)
Highlights: Historic "visiting dragon" performances, flower-decorating rituals, and folk art showcases.
Shenzhen
2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen Nan'ao) Maritime Dragon Boat Race (2025粤港澳大湾区(深圳南澳)海上龙舟赛)
As Shenzhen's only maritime dragon boat event, this race features 29 teams competing amid sea breeze and waves. In addition to the main event, visitors can enjoy water sports showcases, dragon dances, boat parades, themed markets, folk wedding reenactments, and hands-on cultural experiences.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Time: 8:40–11:00, May 30–31
Location: Moon Bay, Nan'ao sub-district, Dapeng District (大鹏南澳月亮湾海域)
More events in Shenzhen:
1. Dasha River Dragon Boat Race (2025年大沙河国际龙舟邀请赛)
Time: 9:00–12:00, May 31
Location: Dashahe Corridor, Nanshan District (南山区大沙河长廊)
Highlights: Water parades, drone displays, and festive bazaars
2. 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Dragon Boat Invitational Race ("深爱·共进"2025粤港澳龙舟邀请赛)
Time: 8:30–12:00, May 31
Location: Yangjihui section of Xinzhou River, Futian District (福田新洲河阳基汇段)
Highlights: Cultural performances, traditional food tastings, float parades
Zhuhai
Sanzao Marine Dragon Boat Regatta (三灶海上龙舟赛)
With a history spanning over two centuries, the Sanzao Marine Dragon Boat Regatta in Zhuhai's Jinwan District is known as a "maritime marathon." This year's event features a 7,200-meter traditional round-mark race and a new 600-meter sprint. Competitors in the 7,200-meter race must complete six laps, each with a dramatic 180-degree sea turn, offering a stunning display of speed, teamwork, and precise control.
(Photo: Zhuhai Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Time: 9:00–11:45, May 31
Location: Changshalan Road section, Airshow Park, Sanzao Town, Jinwan District, Zhuhai (珠海市金湾区三灶镇航展公园长沙栏路段)
Reservation: Register via the official WeChat account "珠海金湾". Navigate to the "我要办事" menu, select "活动预约," then find the event and complete your booking. Limited spectator slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Foshan
2025 China (Foshan) Diejiao dragon boat drifting race (2025中国(佛山)叠滘龙船漂移大赛)
Foshan's Diejiao waterways offer one of the most adrenaline-pumping dragon boat spectacles in China. On a narrow 560-meter course, crews must steer 25-meter-long boats through sharp, high-speed turns, thrilling crowds with each drift and near miss. Dubbed the "aquatic F1," this iconic race will run from May 31 to June 14 across four uniquely shaped tracks—S, L, C, and J.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
(Photo: Nanhai Fabu)
Dongsheng tournament (S-shaped track)
Time: 14:00–17:30, May 31
Location: Dongsheng Village, Dienbei Community, Guicheng Town, Nanhai District (南海区桂城街道叠北社区东胜村)
Shengtang tournament (L-shaped track)
Time: 14:00–17:30, June 1
Location: Shengtang Village, Dienan Community, Guicheng Town, Nanhai District (南海区桂城街道叠南社区圣堂村)
Tantou tournament (C-shaped track)
Time: 14:00–17:30, June 2
Location: Tantou Village, Dienbei Community, Guicheng Town, Nanhai District (南海区桂城街道叠北社区潭头村)
Chaji tournament (J-shaped track)
Time: 14:00–17:30, June 14
Location: Chaji Village, Dienbei Community, Guicheng Town, Nanhai District (南海区桂城街道叠北社区茶基村)
More events in Foshan:
1. Dali leg of the Nanhai Super Dragon Boat League (南海龙舟超级联赛大沥站)
Time: June 1
Location: The river surface opposite the Guanlong Building, Haipang Road, Yanbu Sub-district, Dali Town, Nanhai District (南海区大沥镇盐步海旁路观龙楼对出河面)
2. 2025 Huangqi Jinlong Festival (2025黄岐锦龙盛会)
Time: June 3
Location: The river surface opposite Longmu Temple, Beihuan Road, Huangqi Sub-district, Dali Town, Nanhai District (南海区大沥镇黄岐北环路龙母庙对出江面)
Dongguan
2025 Greater Bay Area (Dongguan) Dragon Boat Invitational Race (2025年粤港澳大湾区(东莞)龙舟邀请赛)
Over 20 teams from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and abroad will race in Dongguan's Shatian Dragon Boat Park. A parade of 30 local teams adds color to this signature riverside festival.
(Photo: Dongguan Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
(Photo: Dongguan Fabu)
Time: June 7
Location: Shatian Dragon Boat Park, Shatian Town (东莞市沙田龙舟公园)
More events in Dongguan:
1. 2025 Wangniudun Town Dragon Boat Race
Time: May 31
Location: Liaoxia River, Wangniudun Town (望牛墩镇寮厦河水道)
2. 2025 Zhongtang Dragon Boat Cultural Festival
Time: June 8
Location: Zhongtang Dragon Boat Plaza, Zhongtang Town (中堂龙舟广场)
3. Xincun River Dragon Boat Parade
Time: June 9
Location: Xincun River, Wanjiang District (万江新村段)
4. 2025 Machong Dragon Boat Parades
Time: June 11
Location: Machong River (麻涌河)
Zhanjiang
Suixi (Jianghong) Maritime Dragon Boat Race (遂溪(江洪)海上龙舟赛)
In the coastal city of Zhanjiang, rowers will ride the waves against the backdrop of the blue sea and clear sky, creating a wonderful scene. This event will also offer beachside festivities, including family-friendly races, land-based dragon boat relays, and interactive experiences for children.
(Photo: Nanfang Plus)
Time: May 31–June 1
Location: Jianghong Fishing Port and Xiaokoutan Bay (江洪渔港码头及笑口滩海域)
Author | Huang Xinying
Poster | Lai Meiya
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
