Dragon boat race

Guilin Dragon boat festival contest is held every 3 years ,falling on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month(meet the 8th of June in 2008), the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the significant holiday celebrated in China and the one with the longest history. The origin of this summer festival is to commemorate Chu Yuan-an intelligent and patriotic poet living in the Warring States Period, who protested against corruption by drowning himself on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. On hearing of his death, people searched for his body by sailing their boats down the river, although they failed to rescue the poet,their efforts are still commemorated nowadays during the Festival by the Dragon Boat Races.

Dragon boats are thus named because the shape of the boat is like a Chinese traditional dragon. Competing teams row their boats forward to a drumbeat racing to reach the finish end first. It is said that the winning team will bring harvest and happy life to the people around. The dragon boat races is especially popular in southern China where there are many rivers and lakes.

Participants train very hard to be in the best physical condition for this important and prestigious event the banks of the Lijian River are crowded with spectators on the day as the dragon boats race on the river with the deafening sounds of drafon boat songs ,bell and drums.The winners are awarded the traditional prizes of sliver coins and treated to a roasted pig.Participants train very hard to be in the best physical condition for this important and prestigious event the banks of the Lijian River are crowded with spectators on the day as the dragon boats race on the river with the deafening sounds of drafon boat songs,bell and drums.The winners are awarded the traditional prizes of sliver coins and treated to a roasted pig.

Dragon boats are thus named because the fore and stern of the boat is in a shape of Chinese traditional dragon. A team of people works the oars in a bid to reach the destination before the other teams. One team member sits at the front of the boat beating a drum in order to maintain morale and ensure that the rowers keep in time with one another. Legend holds that the race originates from the idea of the people who rowed their boats to save Qu yuan after he drowned himself in the river. It is said that the winning team will bring harvest and happy life to the people of their village.

Now, some of ethnic minorities in China also hold dragon boat races like Miao, and Dai. Japan, Vietnam, and Britain regard it as an important game as well. In the year of 1980, it was listed in the state sports competition program held every year.

The festival is full of color and and traditional and would be well worth including on your itinerary.
June 5 Special Report

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