Holiday race brings excitement to Guangdong

World Today

The Duanwu festival is best known for its dragon boat races, particularly in China’s southern provinces where there are many rivers and lakes. 

The average width of this waterway is only 6 meters. It takes the skill of everyone aboard the 23 meter-long dragon boat to avoid hitting the banks and reach the full speed of roughly 4 meters per second. The excitement of the race attracts a large number of villagers and visitors to the river’s edge.

There is a lot of meaning behind this race. Each team has been practicing for 1 or 2 months. It’s good for their health and brings good luck.

Over 36 rowers per boat row to the beat of the drum. The captain stands in the middle, using the drum to maintain morale and ensure the rowers keep time with one another. Senior helmsmen sit at the head of the ship to steer it straight.

CCTV’s Wu Lei reports.

Holiday race brings excitement to Guangdong

The Duanwu festival is best known for its dragon boat races, particularly in China's southern provinces where there are many rivers and lakes.