Dragon Boat Races held in Dalian (Lushunkou)

The China Dalian (Lushunkou) Dragon Boat Races began in Lushun Longhe Park, Dalian, Liaoning province on May 27, three days before the Dragon Boat Festival, which is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month in accordance with the Chinese lunar calendar.

China Dalian (Lushunkou) Dragon Boat Races kicks off in Lushunkou on May 27. [Photo by Li Shuai]

China Dalian (Lushunkou) Dragon Boat Races kicks off in Lushunkou on May 27. [Photo by Li Shuai]

China Dalian (Lushunkou) Dragon Boat Races kicks off in Lushunkou on May 27. [Photo by Li Shuai]

19 teams from communities, universities, colleges and enterprises in Lushunkou city took part in the race, with the team from Liaoning Military and Navigation Sports wining first prize.   

In recent years, Lushunkou city has been devoting great effort to the development of tourism, particularly in the integrated development of culture and tourism industries. Various themed festivals and events combinig sports, tourism, culture and leisure have been held around the city.

Background

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the Chinese calendar. For thousands of years, the festival has been marked by eating zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped to form a pyramid using bamboo or reed leaves) and racing dragon boats.

Thus the festival is best known for its dragon boat races. The regatta commemorates the death of Qu Yuan , an honest minister who is said to have committed suicide by drowning himself in a river.

The dragon boat races symbolize the numerous attempts to rescue and recover Qu's body. A typical dragon boat ranges from 50-100 feet in length, with a beam of about 5.5 feet, accommodating two paddlers seated side by side.

A wooden dragon head is attached at the bow, and a dragon tail at the stern. A banner hoisted on a pole is also fastened at the stern and the hull is decorated with red, green and blue scales edged in gold. In the center of the boat is a canopied shrine behind which drummers, gong beaters and cymbal players are seated to set the pace for the paddlers.

Men are also positioned at the bow to set off firecrackers, toss rice into the water and pretend to be looking for Qu as an homage. All of the noise and pageantry creates an atmosphere of gaiety and excitement for participants and spectators alike.

The races are held among different clans, villages and organizations, and the winners are awarded medals, banners, jugs of wine and festive meals.