Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival: A Celebration of Tradition and Festivity

Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant and culturally rich event filled with traditional charm and festive atmosphere. The highlight of the celebrations is the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, the largest Dragon Boat Festival event in the city. First held in 1976, this prestigious competition will take place on June 7-8 this year along the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront. Thousands of elite dragon boat athletes from around the world will gather to compete under the iconic Victoria Harbour skyline. Witness the thrilling spectacle of roaring drums and fierce boat races, and cheer on the athletes as they strive for victory. Another unique event is the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, which boasts over a century of history and was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. On the morning of the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, three traditional fishing guilds in Tai O row dragon boats towing deity boats to four temples to 'invite the gods.' The following day, on the Dragon Boat Festival, they conduct a deity parade before returning the small deity statues, offering a glimpse into the rich traditional rural culture. Of course, eating rice dumplings is an essential part of the festival. Cantonese-style rice dumplings, commonly found in Hong Kong, are packed with flavorful fillings such as pork belly, duck meat, mushrooms, dried scallops, and salted egg yolk, offering a delightful taste experience. You can also participate in making sachets, which are believed to ward off evil spirits and promote health.