Hong Kong turns an ancient festival into a carnival and celebration as only it can: larger, splashier and merrier!

The summer begins with the celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, otherwise known as Tuen Ng Festival, a 2000-year-old tradition that has passed down through the ages. In true Hong Kong fashion, the event is a big party occasion at venues all across the city. Catch dragon fever as you watch the racing action and celebrate with the locals.

The Legend

The most popular account of the legend surrounding the Tuen Ng Festival goes back to the Warring Kingdoms period when a popular minister and poet named Qu Yuan in the Kingdom of Chu (thought to have lived 340-278 BC) was banished from the court after the king heeded the counsel of corrupt officials who conspired against him. Qu Yuan, seeing his beloved kingdom collapsing before his eyes, drowned himself in the river in despair. The villagers raced in boats to try and find his body, beating on drums and splashing the water with their paddles to ward off evil spirits and scare away the fish; they even threw rice dumplings into the water to distract the fish from eating his body. The tradition was maintained and thus was born the Tuen Ng Festival, now celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar Calendar.

The Festival

The festival is celebrated by the holding of fiercely contested dragon boat races and eating rice dumplings stuffed with meat or beans. In Hong Kong, the city really celebrates in style, hosting arguably the largest dragon boat races in the world, and offering a rich variety of rice dumplings as gifts to share.

Key Events

As a city of many islands, with ready access to the water, Hong Kong holds more than 10 dragon boat regattas of varying sizes, with most of them taking place on 9 June, the day of the festival. The biggest event, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival is a three-day meet from 10 to 12 June.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival

CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

Hundreds of thousands will gather at the Central Harbourfront to soak up the festive atmosphere of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. The main attraction is the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races – three days of intense racing that fill the harbour with heartstopping action, a profusion of colour, and the sounds of drummers and fans urging paddlers on to the finish line. Thousands of athletes from around the world in more than 430 teams will compete in the races, against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

10 June: noon to 5:30 pm / 11 June: 8:30am to 5:30pm / 12 June: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Victoria Harbour, Central

San Miguel BeerFest

The perfect complement to the races is surely an all-out beer party filled with ice-cold beer and rocking live music to help fans and athletes alike to wind down from all the pulsating action. The San Miguel BeerFest takes place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space in Central Hong Kong.

10–11 June: 11am to 10:30pm / 12 June: 11am to 9:30pm

Central Harbourfront Event Space

Family Zone

The Dragon Boat Carnival is of course for all the family. Kids can visit the Family Zone, featuring experiential games and interactive activities, including giant inflatables and water boats. There will be tattoo stickers, face and body painting, and roving entertainment for hours of fun.

Sun Life Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships 2016

Over 30,000 spectators will gather to watch this fun-filled and exciting event at Stanley Main Beach, not far from Stanley Market, a favourite tourist destination. Over 200 teams, many from the city’s corporations, compete for various prizes over the short 270-metre course. It’s the perfect day to spend at the beach and end with a visit to Stanley Market and its quaint promenade lined with al fresco restaurants and bars.

9 June; 8am to 5pm

Stanley Main Beach

Other Races

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race 2016

Another major dragon boat event takes place on the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin. Expect tens of thousands to line the riverfront on both sides as teams paddle for all their worth along this well-known stretch of water.

9 June; 8am to 1pm

Shing Mun River, Sha Tin (starting near Banyan Bridge, ending near Sha Yin Bridge)

 

2016 Sai Kung Dragon Boat Race Gala

Idyllic Sai Kung town with its fabulous waterfront promenade is the ideal spot from which to watch dragon boat racing. Combine it with a hike in Sai Kung Country Park, ending with a seafood dinner by the waterfront – unbeatable!

9 June; Races: 8am to 2pm; Carnival: 2–5pm

Sai Kung Promenade (near Sai Kung Pier)

 

Tai O Dragon Boat Racing Competition 2016

One of the oldest active fishing villages in Hong Kong, Tai O, at the western edge of Lantau Island, is an increasingly popular tourist destination. Explore the quaint village after the races along with other nearby areas of Lantau Island including the Big Buddha, Ngong Ping Village, and the Cheung Sha beaches – all a fun-filled day under the sun.

9 June; 9am to 2pm

Tai O Promenade, Lantau Island

 

Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Races and Carnival

This quiet and upscale expat community, also on Lantau Island, is not far from Hong Kong Disneyland. The races will take place at the Tai Pak Beach and the carnival will be held at nearby DB Plaza, which is lined with waterfront restaurants.

9 June; Races: 8am to 5:30pm; Carnival: 10:30am to 6pm

Races: Tai Pak Beach, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

Carnival: DB Piazza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

 

2016 Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race

Another destination where visitors can combine watching the dragon boat racing with a spot of sightseeing – visiting the former fishing village plus, of course, Jumbo Kingdom, one of the world’s most famous floating restaurants.

9 June; 8:30am to 4pm

Aberdeen Promenade, Aberdeen Praya Road

 

Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Races

Another favourite tourist destination, Cheung Chau offers the perfect escape from the metropolis. Watch the dragon boat races and visit its beaches, the village, and the famous Cheung Po Tsai Pirate Cave.

9 June; 10am to 4:30pm

Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter, Cheung Chau

 

Tai Po District Dragon Boat Race 2016

Taking place at the promenade of Tai Po Waterfront Park, which is a large multi-purpose destination. Visitors can rent bicycles in the park and ride along the Tolo Harbour Cycle Track towards Shatin, or to the dam at Tai Mei Tuk.

9 June; 8:30am to 1pm

Promenade at Tai Po Waterfront Park, Tai Po

 

Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Race 2016

The nearby Gold Coast community features a resort hotel, a yacht club and marina, a promenade with alfresco dining and Golden Beach, the largest beach in Tuen Mun and Hong Kong’s first artificial beach.

9 June; 9am to 2pm

Castle Peak Bay, Area 44, Tuen Mun

Quick Find