Yachting Art Magazine

Every year, the Dragon Boat Festival transforms the shores of Hong Kong into a popular place of celebration. The 2025 edition, which began on 31 May, continues this trend with a programme combining sporting competitions, cultural traditions and festive events.

The event will culminate on 7 and 8 June with the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. Around 190 teams from a dozen countries - including Canada, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and mainland China - will compete over a 500-metre course. The Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront has been chosen as the venue for these events. Overlooking Victoria Bay, the site will offer a panoramic setting for competitors and spectators alike.

The origin of these races is a legend. The festival has its roots in the story of Qu Yuan, a Chinese scholar from the time of the Warring Kingdoms. Wrongly accused, exiled and driven to suicide, he threw himself into the River Miluo. The locals, trying to save his body, launched boats to find him and threw rice balls into the water - zongzi - to keep the fish away. This legend, handed down for more than 2,000 years, has shaped contemporary rituals and still today justifies the festival's place in the collective memory. In fact, UNESCO has listed it as one of humanity's intangible cultural heritage sites.

While the dragon boat races remain central, other cultural elements reinforce the local roots of the event. In the village of Tai O, on the island of Lantau, the traditional ritual procession takes place. One of the highlights is the ‘plucking of the greens’, a blessing ritual supposed to bring good luck to the participants. This fishing village on stilts remains one of the most emblematic places to experience the festival through a spiritual and communal prism.

When it comes to entertainment, the city of Hong Kong spares no effort. The Avenue of Stars, on the edge of the bay, was transformed into an events zone as soon as the festival got under way. Giant panda mascots, Cirque du Soleil performances and art installations line the route. Free entertainment is provided throughout the weekend, attracting both local and international audiences.

On the gastronomic front, the festival is also an opportunity to discover or rediscover zongzi, the typical specialities of the period. These stuffed glutinous rice dumplings - savoury or sweet - are wrapped in bamboo leaves. Some more sophisticated versions feature top-of-the-range ingredients such as abalone or truffles. These traditional dishes can be served with soy sauce or sugar, depending on the recipe.

The dragon boats, long and richly decorated, will set off to the rhythm of the drums, in an atmosphere that is both sporting and ceremonial. Each crew, made up of synchronised rowers, embodies a blend of physical performance and collective spirit. This competitive format, which became international in 1976 when it was first held in Hong Kong with local teams and a Japanese team, has since been widely exported. Hong Kong remains a benchmark for this discipline.

Finally, other sites such as Lamma Fisherfolk's Village, accessible from Lamma Island, offer educational tours of traditional fishing and artisanal techniques. These visits are part of a drive to pass on maritime heritage skills.

At the crossroads of popular celebration, historical heritage and intercultural encounter, the Dragon Boat Festival 2025 offers a comprehensive showcase of Hong Kong culture. The participation of numerous foreign teams confirms its influence, while the local celebrations are a reminder of its roots in traditions dating back thousands of years.