Dragon Boat
Here’s a Dragon Boat Festival travel guide to help you fully enjoy the unique charm of dragon boat racing:
**Choosing Destinations & Events**
- **Guangzhou, Guangdong**: Multiple locations host exciting dragon boat races. For example, at Haizhu National Wetland Park Phase II, you can watch performances like "dragon boat drifting" and participate in intangible cultural heritage activities. At Shaxi River in Liwan District’s Huadi River, over 20 dragon boats, including the iconic "Yanbu Old Dragon," gather. In Tianhe District’s Liede Street, hundreds of dragon boats visit for festive celebrations on the day of the festival.
- **Foshan, Guangdong**: Foshan’s races are unique, such as the Diejiao Dragon Boat Drifting Competition in Nanhai District, where boats showcase "tail-flicking" skills on narrow river courses like the Dongsheng S-bend and Shengtang L-bend. Shunde District’s Daliang Dragon Boat Festival features over 40 boats racing on Daliang River, creating a lively scene.
- **Miluo, Hunan**: As the birthplace of dragon boat culture, Quzi Cultural Park hosts the UNESCO-listed "Miluo River Dragon Boat Festival Customs." Activities include dressing in Hanfu to honor Qu Yuan, dotting the dragon boat’s eyes, and watching international races.
- **Zhenyuan, Guizhou**: The 600-year-old Miao and Dong tradition on Wuyang River features silver-adorned boats and echoing chants, followed by a duck-catching frenzy post-race.
- **Xiamen, Fujian**: Jimei Dragon Boat Pool hosts cross-strait races and duck-catching performances, with local delicacies like alkaline rice dumplings and "tusundong" (worm jelly) nearby.
**Itinerary Planning**
- **3-Day Miluo-Guangzhou-Foshan Trip**: Day 1: Explore Miluo’s dragon boat workshops and attend the Quzi Temple river ceremony. Day 2: Watch races at Haizhu Wetland Park and visit Shaxi River for the "Yanbu Old Dragon." Day 3: Head to Foshan for the Diejiao Drifting Competition.
- **4-Day Zhenyuan-Xiamen Trip**: Day 1: Arrive in Zhenyuan for Wuyang River races and duck-catching, plus night views of the ancient town. Days 2–3: Travel to Xiamen for Jimei’s races and duck-catching, with a bike ride along Island Ring Road. Day 4: Free time before departure.
**Race Tips & Experiences**
- **Arrive Early**: Secure a spot with good views (e.g., near start/finish lines or bends). In Guangzhou’s Liede, arrive early near Liede Ancestral Hall Square.
- **Interactive Activities**: Try hands-on experiences like dragon boat tourism in Guangzhou’s Daling Village or Foshan’s Lishui Dragon Boat Carnival, where you can paint and dot a boat’s eyes.
- **Cultural Insights**: Learn about boat-making, rituals, and Lingnan traditions like "sun-drying umbrellas" or "eating dragon boat rice."
**Food Recommendations**
- **Guangdong**: Dragon boat rice, Cantonese dim sum, roast meats, clay pot dishes, Chaoshan beef hotpot, oyster omelets, Hakka stuffed tofu, and salt-baked chicken.
- **Miluo, Hunan**: Miluo River fish hotpot and dragon boat-shaped buns.
- **Zhenyuan, Guizhou**: Sour fish soup, fried glutinous rice cakes, and ash-alkali cakes.
- **Xiamen, Fujian**: Besides alkaline dumplings and worm jelly, try satay noodles and oyster omelets.
**Accommodation**
- **Guangdong**: Stay near metro lines or race venues (e.g., hotels near Liede for easy access).
- **Miluo, Hunan**: Choose riverside inns or hotels near Quzi Temple.
- **Zhenyuan, Guizhou**: Opt for ancient town guesthouses or Wuyang River hotels.
- **Xiamen, Fujian**: Stay near Jimei Dragon Boat Pool or Island Ring Road for convenience and sea views.