Dragon parade and crowded streets: 2024 Tongren dragon boat race

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 160 traditional dragon boats, painted boats, motorboats and kayaks traversed waves in a race in Bijiang district of Tongren city, Guizhou province.

Since ancient times, the dragon boat race has been an important folk activity for people living along the Jinjiang River.

In 2009, Bijiang district was awarded the title of "Hometown of Traditional Chinese Dragon Boats" by the Social Sports Guidance Center of the General Administration of Sport of China. In 2011, Bijiang's dragon boat race was listed as a representative intangible cultural heritage project at the national level.

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Hundreds of participants compete in a dragon boat race in Bijiang district, Tongren city, on June 1, 2024. [Photo by Shen Yikai/For chinadaily.com.cn]