As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, a dragon boat race on the sea unfolded on Thursday on Yongxing Island in China's southernmost city of Sansha, Hainan Province.
With 12 teams competing to celebrate the upcoming festival, local fishermen decorated their fishing vessels as dragon boats to commemorate both local fishery tradition and the Dragon Boat Festival, featuring a unique race full of local characteristics.
Sansha's mayor, Wen Bin, joined the celebration and announced the opening of the 2025 Sansha Dragon Boat Race at Yongxing Island's harbor.
On the referee's signal, the boats shot across the 200-meter sea course, sparking much excitement among onlookers.
"It is my first time watching a dragon boat race on the sea. It is truly breathtaking. I could also feel the competitors' fighting spirit," said Wang Xihong, a spectator.
After an intense race, the Sansha Municipal Government team clinched the championship.
"Participating in the dragon boat race on the southernmost waters of our homeland fills us with immense pride. We deeply felt the spirit of unity and strength among everyone," said Xu Mingsheng, a member of the winning team.
The race was only a part of a series of festival celebrations set to be held in Sansha, including tug-of-war competitions, lion dances, and quiz contests, all aimed at spreading festive joy and promoting the cultural traditions of Chinese people.
"We guard this ancestral sea not only to protect these waters but also to preserve our nation's cultural heritage," said Chen Ding, the Deputy Director General of the Social Development Bureau of Sansha's Xisha District.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the traditional calendar to commemorate ancient Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (about 340-278 BC). The festival falls on May 31 this year.
China's southernmost city Sansha holds dragon boat race
