Every year around the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the river towns of Dongguan mark the start of dragon boat season with a time-honored ritual known as "Qi Long (起龙)". In this centuries-old tradition, villagers unearth wooden dragon boats that have been buried in river silt, clean them, repaint them, and prepare them for racing. It's more than a practical task, it's a spiritual awakening that honors ancestors, prays for good fortune, and signals the return of summer's most thrilling spectacle.
As part of this cultural rhythm, Dongguan's May Day holiday will feature a series of vibrant dragon boat events across Wanjiang, Zhongtang, and Machong towns. Locals and visitors alike will witness a cultural spectacle that blends centuries-old rituals with modern flair.
PART.01 Wangjiang
Wanjiang kicks off the season with the largest and most immersive dragon boat cultural experience in Dongguan. Held at the Zhengya Dragon Boat Cultural Village, the ceremony will be accompanied by a thousand-person parade, an immersive art and photography exhibition, a youth rowing experience. Visitors can also stroll through a two-day heritage market featuring intangible cultural heritage goods and festival treats rooted in Dongguan's river culture.
Date: May 1-5 (Main "Qi Long" Ceremony starts around 7:00, May 1)
Location:Zhengya Dragon Boat Cultural Village, Jiaolian Community, Wanjiang District (万江街道滘联社区正丫湾龙舟民俗文化村)
Main Highlights
Dragon Awakening Ceremony (7:00-11:00, May 1): Villagers will lift a wooden dragon boat from the riverbed mud in a spiritual ritual that includes head-painting, cleansing, and blessings. Visitors can witness the full traditional process. The ceremony includes symbolic steps such as "dotting the dragon's eyes," believed to bring the boat to life.
1,000-person folk parade (9:00-10:00, May 1): Locals and visitors parade through the village streets alongside lion dancers, drummers, and costumed performers, celebrating the spirit of the season.
Traditional dragon boat feast competition: Communities present their signature "dragon boat meals" for guests to sample and vote for their favorite, making this a delicious way to engage with the local culture.
Cultural exhibitions & art installations: From calligraphy and sculpture to AI-generated media and photography, several exhibitions explore Dongguan's dragon boat heritage in creative new formats.
Intangible heritage market (9:30-18:00, May 1-2): Visitors can shop for traditional snacks, crafts, and holiday gifts while learning about local heritage.
Youth racing experience & riverfront performances: Younger visitors who are invited can try their hand at paddling a dragon boat, while others enjoy themed performances by the river.
Known as the "Hometown of Dragon Boats," Zhongtang's celebration on May 5 (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month) is a powerful nod to tradition.
Date: 9:00-12:00, May 5 Location: Feng's Clan Ancestral Hall & Nearby River, Dongxiang Village, Zhongtang Town (中堂镇东向村冯氏宗祠前广场及河涌) This year's ritual will be led by Feng Peichao, a newly recognized national-level inheritor of dragon boat culture. At Feng's Clan Ancestral Hall, villagers will perform the full awakening ceremony with traditional rites like painting the dragon's eyes, parading the boat, and blessing the river. A 2004 dragon boat that once brought glory to the village returns to the water, reborn and ready to race again. After its revival, it will parade on the river along with other boats in a festive performance. The event also features dragon boat-themed games, cultural booths, and a fun water activity called "paddle battles" to engage younger audiences.
For a taste of modern dragon boat competition, head to the wetlands of Machong on May 1.
Date: May 1, morning (200m) & afternoon (500m) Location: Huayang Lake National Wetland Park, Machong Town (麻涌华阳湖国家湿地公园) Over 60 elite teams will compete in the Machong Dragon Boat Club League (3rd stop) at Huayang Lake National Wetland Park. With 12-person boats racing in 200m and 500m sprint events, the day promises exhilarating action, cheers, and photo-worthy moments. This year also introduces city and township invitational teams as well as a prestigious Gold and Silver Cup showdown, making the competition even fiercer.
Whether you're drawn by the drumbeats echoing down the river, the chance to witness centuries-old rituals, or simply the adrenaline of a good race, Dongguan offers a rich dragon boat experience this May Day. From mud-lifting ceremonies to high-speed sprints, this is where the dragon awakens, and the spirit soars.
