On China’s rivers, dragon boat racing has remained a passionate sport and a brilliant cultural heritage for over 2,000 years. It is not only a contest of speed and strength, but also a vivid carrier of the Chinese national spirit, reflecting the pursuit of unity, perseverance and awe.

Dragon boats originate from a touching legend: during the Warring States Period, the patriotic poet Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River. To search for his body and drive away fish, people sailed boats, threw zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) and beat gongs — this gradually became the Dragon Boat Festival racing custom. Over millennia, it has spread worldwide, becoming a cultural link between China and the world.

A dragon boat embodies Chinese culture: carved with majestic dragon patterns (a symbol of auspiciousness and strength) and colored with red (joy), yellow (dignity) and blue (gratitude), it carries the Chinese people’s yearning for a better life.

Dragon boat racing is a celebration of team unity. Guided by a drummer, dozens of oarsmen row in perfect harmony, with drums, oars and shouts echoing over the river — a vivid display of the Chinese spirit of unity and perseverance.

Today, dragon boats have become a global cultural card, combining tradition with vitality. From domestic festivals to international competitions, they showcase Chinese culture’s charm, letting the world understand its heritage and energy.

Every dragon boat carries a millennium of stories; every race inherits a cultural gene. It hides China’s history, spirit and warmth, waiting for the world to discover and cherish.