If you live in Hong Kong, you must definitely know the Dragon Boat Festival, at least because it’s a day off and a popular boat race, bringing together crowds of participants and spectators every year.

Occurring on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, falling this year on Monday 10 June, the Dragon Boat Festival is way more than a race. It is filled with customs and traditions that date back millennia, giving it deep significance and meaning.

The origins of the festival, also called Tuen Ng Festival, have triggered many speculations over the years. According to historians, it was originally a celebration of agriculture, fertility and rice growing in southern China. But the best known story in modern China is that the festival commemorates Qu Yuan, minister of the southern Chinese state of Chu during the Warring States Period of the Zhou dynasty (600 B.C. to 200 B.C.), and a patriotic poet.

Originated from the Lingnan region in mainland China, the festival is also celebrated in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, as well as in the Chinese communities of Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam or Korea.

Tapestry depicting the Dragon Boat Festival, China, 18th-19th century, V&A Museum

The first international Dragon Boat race in Hong Kong was held in 1976, with nine local teams competing against a Japanese team. Now, more than hundred local and international teams compete across the city.

In 2009, UNESCO included the festival in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making it the first Chinese celebration to be selected.

Why a Dragon Symbol

The dragon is the only mythical creature among the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, thus it holds a significant symbolic meaning in the Chinese culture, being associated with the royalty and the water element. Falling during a month that is considered inauspicious in the lunar calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival is meant to defend against evil spirits and bad luck.

People used to believe that the water passing through the oars of dragon boats was auspicious. The dragon head adorning the boats represents the belief that the vessel will awaken the dragon from its sleep to grant its protective grace to the participants and spectators of the race.

Why Rice Dumplings

Exiled by Emperor Huai, Qu Yuan drowned in the Miluo River. Unable to recover his body, villagers made sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) and threw them into the river to prevent the fish from eating the body. They were also banging gongs and drums to scare the fish away. This act of mourning has since evolved into the Chinese traditions of eating zongzi and rowing dragon boats during the festival.

The pyramid-shaped dumplings are stuffed in with sweet or savoury ingredients, and wrapped in bamboo leaves. The most common zongzi in Hong Kong are the Cantonese ones, with pork belly, roasted duck, salted eggs and mushrooms.

Dragon Boat Festival at Aberdeen – Photo: Sam Tsang

Where to Enjoy the Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong

Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race
8:30am to 4pm at Aberdeen Promenade/Aberdeen West Typhoon Shelter

Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships
8am to 5pm at Stanley Main Beach

Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival
8am to 2.30pm (races); 10am to 1pm (carnival) at Sai Kung Waterfront and Promenade

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race
8am to 1pm at Shing Mun River (Banyan Bridge-Sha Yin Bridge)

Tai Po Dragon Boat Race
8:30am to 1pm at Tai Po Waterfront Park Promenade

Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Race
9am to 1pm at Castle Peak Bay, Area 44, Tuen Mun

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race
8am to 1pm at Shing Mun River