Cheer with boats & beers

Hong Kong known for its countless features and festivals has been the most sought after destination. The vibrancy comes alive with the ancient Chinese festival- ‘The Dragon Boat Carnival’ celebrated every year with magnificence.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the 2016 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will take a bigger stage, by putting all programme elements at Central Harbour Front, beside the Victoria Harbour.

The Carnival is starting from June 10-12. Boats, Beers and the ovation of hundreds of thousands of spectators are the key highlights of festival.

The Dragon Boat Festival also known as the Tuen Ng Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese national hero. In a protest against corrupt rulers Qu drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.

To scare away fish from eating his body, the townspeople beat drums and threw glutinous rice dumplings called zongzi into the water. Today, this event is remembered by Chinese people around the world, who eat zongzi and go swimming or at least dip their hands in rivers or lakes.

Thousands of the world’s top dragon boat athletes battle it out in the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and teams may show up in funky costumes while spectators indulge with cold beer and live entertainment at the San Miguel Beer Fest. The highlight of the festival is the fierce-looking dragon boats racing in a lively, vibrant spectacle.

Teams race the elaborately decorated dragon boats to the beat of heavy drums. The special boats, which measure more than 10 metres, have ornately carved and painted 'dragon' heads and tails, and each carries a crew of 20-22 paddlers.

Participants train in earnest for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with a steersman at the back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finishing line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds.

Also Read: