As drumbeats echo across Dongguan's waterways, the city's annual Dragon Boat Month begins. On May 24, the "Awakening the Dragon" ritual was held in Wanjiang Town, Zhongtang Town, and Wangniudun Town, reviving age-old ceremonies including eye-dotting, boat washing, and blessings to pray for favorable weather and prosperity.
The Dragon Awakening Ceremony is held annually on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.
Participants retrieve the dragon boat that had been submerged at the bottom of the river since the previous year.
As the "Hometown of Dragon Boats" and home to this national-level intangible cultural heritage, Dongguan embraces the spirit of unity and perseverance. This year, 40 teams from cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, along with the Mudanjiang Dragon Boat Team from Heilongjiang Province, raced along the vibrant Zhengyawan in a grueling 8-kilometer endurance contest.
A Russian student holds the dragon ball in her hands, guiding the dragon as it twists and leaps.
The villagers wave flags to cheer on the athletes at the basketball court and football pitch.
The city also released 10 cultural tourism routes and issued consumption vouchers, linking sports with cultural experiences, dining, and shopping to boost the local economy. A highlight is the fusion of two signature city IPs, dragon boat culture and basketball, creating a unique "Dragon Boat + League" carnival. Across 18 towns, more than 50 races and parades will unfold, inviting all to experience the rhythm and passion of this timeless tradition.
Author | Yao Mengyin, Wang Ying, Zhang Fan
Photo | Cai Zhifeng, Mai Qingyi
Poster | Sun Peichuan
Video | Cai Zhifeng, Wang Ying, Yao Mengyin
