On June 6, a 594-year-old dragon boat was raised from the silt at the bottom of a canal in Yanbu, Dali Town, Nanhai District, Foshan, marking the opening of the 2026 Dali Dragon Boat Festival Season and carrying forward one of South China's oldest living traditions.
People clean the 594-year-old dragon boat.
People clean the 594-year-old dragon boat.
Known as the Yanbu Old Dragon, the vessel is recognized as one of China's oldest surviving dragon boats. Each year ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival, local villagers raise it from the riverbed, where it lies submerged for months, and prepare it for a series of ceremonial activities.
This year's event drew large crowds and featured a historic reunion of the "Five Jingkui" dragon boat traditions from Guangzhou and Foshan. Representatives from Yanbu, Pantang, Qingfeng, Dongchong, and Baisha gathered in Yanbu, renewing cultural ties that have connected communities across the Guangzhou-Foshan region for centuries.
Representatives from Yanbu, Pantang, Qingfeng, Dongchong, and Baisha gather in Yanbu, Foshan.
Beyond the annual ritual, organizers introduced a series of new cultural initiatives centered on the Yanbu Old Dragon. These included the launch of the "Six Values" cultural framework and the "Six Rituals" blessing tradition, both designed to reinterpret and promote the spirit of this centuries-old dragon boat culture for contemporary audiences.
New cultural and educational programs were also unveiled, including themed learning programs for children, cultural tourism experiences, and locally inspired cultural and creative products. Organizers said the initiatives aim to bring traditional culture into schools, communities, and everyday life while encouraging younger generations to engage with local heritage.
New cultural and educational programs were also unveiled, including themed learning programs for children, cultural tourism experiences, and locally inspired cultural and creative products. Organizers said the initiatives aim to bring traditional culture into schools, communities, and everyday life while encouraging younger generations to engage with local heritage.
According to local officials, the Yanbu Old Dragon is more than a historical artifact or festival attraction. It represents a shared cultural memory for communities across the Guangzhou-Foshan region and serves as a symbol of unity, perseverance, and cultural continuity.
As drums echoed along the river and the ancient dragon boat returned to the water, a nearly six-century-old tradition was passed on by a new generation.
Reporter: Xiong Cheng
Photo: Dai Jiaxin
