The Tuen Ng Festival is a Chinese tradition and people celebrate this festival by eating rice dumplings and having a dragon boat competition.
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Shatin |
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Dragon boating, originally linked to the traditional Tuen Ng Chinese festival and the fishermen of the region, has now become an international sport.
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It is an event which attracts individuals, clubs and companies as participants and thousands
of locals and visitors as sightseers.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Shatin |
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For racing events, dragon boats are always equipped with decorative Chinese dragon heads and
tails and are required to carry a large drum aboard.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Shatin |
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Most famous Dragon Boat festivals in Hong Kong happen in Stanley, Shatin, Lamma, Aberdeen Tai Tam and Lantau.
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A number of beachside areas in Hong Kong are turn into carnivals, with food, drinks and
outside seating set-up to watch the proceedings.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Shatin |
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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.
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Shatin |
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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.
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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Before the race gets underway, a solemn ceremony is held to worship the Dragon King.
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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".
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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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.
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Hong Kong people believe that swimming during the Dragon Boat Festival can also bring luck and health.
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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Once the races are over, it is time for getting the prizes, share fun and enjoyment until
next year!
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| Dragon Boat festival in Tai Tam |
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