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DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

The Tuen Ng Festival is a Chinese tradition and people celebrate this festival by eating rice dumplings and having a dragon boat competition.

Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
The boats are over 10 metres long. They are decorated with dragon heads and tails. Two paddlers can sit side by side. There is a crew of around 20 men who paddle following the beat of a drum.
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin

Dragon boating, originally linked to the traditional Tuen Ng Chinese festival and the fishermen of the region, has now become an international sport.

It is an event which attracts individuals, clubs and companies as participants and thousands of locals and visitors as sightseers.
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
For racing events, dragon boats are always equipped with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails and are required to carry a large drum aboard.
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin

Most famous Dragon Boat festivals in Hong Kong happen in Stanley, Shatin, Lamma, Aberdeen Tai Tam and Lantau.

A number of beachside areas in Hong Kong are turn into carnivals, with food, drinks and outside seating set-up to watch the proceedings.
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin

In year 2007, the International Dragon Boat Races were staged at Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront. Over 120 teams including 20 teams from the mainland and overseas were invited to take part in the races.

Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
Legend says that in ancient China, a government official loyal to the emperor commited suicide by jumping into a river as an ultimate act of despair to protest against bad rules. The common people loved him and hence in an effort to prevent fish from eating his body, went out in boats with noise-making instruments to scare them off and throw rice dumplings into the river to feed them.
Dragon Boat festival in Shatin
Dragon boat racing has been a popular program in Hong Kong during this special Chinese traditional festival. Many western Hong Kong residents love the game and put the modern mood of carnival in the festival.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon boat racing in Stanley is the most popular one among all the races scattering in the villages and beaches during the festival. It has gained a reputation both internationally and locally.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam

Each year thousands of athletes take part in Stanley Dragon Boat festival and join hands in the months of practice. Local companies like to send staff as it empowers team work.

Four days before a traditional festival, the dragon boats are taken from repose to have their heads and tails attached. Typically, a community leader is invited to "dot the eye" of the dragon in a ceremony designed to rouse its sleeping spirit.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam

Before the race gets underway, a solemn ceremony is held to worship the Dragon King.

Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Tuen Ng Festival is known for race of fierce-looking dragon boats. Elaborately adorned boats, each carrying a crew of 20-25 paddlers, race in a lively way, to the beat of drums.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Most Hong Kong people eat rice dumplings in every Dragon Boat Festival, but not all the people know the origin meaning of the festival. But all enjoy the boat racings and its associated carnival.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Attracting more than 140 teams each competition over the last few years, the dragon boat races are the highlight of the racing scene in Hong Kong. They are now recognized worldwide for the multinational makeup of the teams and the excitement of the competition.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Being the second largest industry in Hong Kong, tourism plays a major role in the territory's development. In its efforts to attract tourists, Hong Kong Tourist Association has embarked on range of activities exposing certain cultural events one of which is the "Dragon Boat Festival".
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam

The Tuen Ng Festival has its origin in Chinese antiquity. It has been re-shaped and manufactured into an international water sport. The recent trends in its developments reflect the move from an event which has been originally classified as a cultural-based to "sports tourism" with its unique maintenance of traditional features.

Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Hong Kong people believe that swimming during the Dragon Boat Festival can also bring luck and health.
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Once the races are over, it is time for getting the prizes, share fun and enjoyment until next year!
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam
Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam


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