Dragon Boat Festival or Tuen Ng Festival (端午節) is not only one of the four most traditional festivals in Hong Kong but also associated with excitement, sport and teamwork. 2023 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will be on the 22nd of June. For all the dragon boat race and Chinese culture lovers, June and July are definitely your carnivals. Hong Kong celebrates this festival with so many Dragon Boat Races that you surely can at least catch one.

Dragon Boat Festival is more than just dragon boat races. It’s a day to worship dragon god, to pray for the safety of family and to commemorate a national hero who sacrificed his life 2000 years ago. Rowers and paddlers will crowd the waterways cross Hong Kong and enjoy the festivities of this tradition.

In case you miss the celebration of Dragon Boat Festival, there will also be the annual Dragon Boat Carnival from 24th to 25th of June 2023 and many other races all year around.

Hong Kong 2023 Dragon Boat Festival Celebration

Hong Kong 2023 Dragon Boat Festival Celebration

What is the Dragon Boat Festival?

Dragon Boat Festival in China is known as Tuen Ng Festival in Cantonese or Duan Wu Festival in Mandarin. It has root tracking back to 4000 years ago when people used Dragon Boat Race to worship the dragon god. On this traditional festival, Hong Kong locals will eat Zongzi and watch the Dragon Boat Races with family and friends.

It is such an important Chinese festival that even Lego has launched a set of Dragon Boat Race (80103) for the Asian market.

Lego 80103 Dragon Boat Race set

Lego 80103 Dragon Boat Race set

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When is 2023 Dragon Boat Festival?

Dragon Boat Festival is on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls on late of May or beginning of June.

For 2023, it is relatively late compared with previous years. The 2023 Dragon Boat Festival will be on the 22nd of June 2023. It is right after the “Beginning of Summer”, one of the 24 Solar terms, which is always on the 21st of June.

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What do locals do – Traditions of 2023 Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong?

As a thousand-year festival, there are many traditional ways for celebration. Eating Zongzi is one of it. As always, many districts in Hong Kong will have dragon boat races to celebrate 2023 Dragon Boat Festival. Some of them are more of a religious ritual than the races, such as in Tai O. The whole family will come to watch the Dragon Boat Race and pray for good luck.

Everyone will eat Zongzi

Zongzi is a Chinese food made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and stuffed with different fillings. It is a must-eat on Tuen Ng Festival.

Weeks before Tuen Ng Festival, you can already find shops selling Zongzi with different fillings around the city. You can choose the taste from either salty or sweet, such as pork, preserved egg yolk, sugar, red bean paste, etc.. Sellers usually differentiate the flavors by the tied string.

2023 Dragon Boat Festival - Zongzi Store with different options

Zongzi Store with different fillings

2023 Dragon Boat Races in different districts

The dragon boat race is a religious activity much more than a sport. The fishermen consider dragon boats as sacred mascots to the dragon god. They take it very seriously. Before races, paddlers will splash water to each other to wish for good luck to competitors.

Public Dragon Boat v.s. Private Dragon Boat

Dragon Boats can be categorized to public ones and private ones. The public dragon boats are the common style we usually see on TV or used in the formal competition. Some of the new boats are made of carbon fiber, light to row. All of them must have the same pattern and design.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals (Tuen Ng)

Public dragon boat used in Stanley dragon boat race

The private dragon boats come from own teams and are like the modified racing cars. It can be adjusted according to the teams’ own requirements. The private dragon boats are mostly made of teak wood, heavier but less affected by the wind and water flow.

Ritual before dragon boat races

Four days before the festival, the dragon boats will be taken out and be assembled with dragon head and tail. Then the fishermen will invite Taoist monk to burn joss paper in front of the boat to pray for the safety of paddlers.

Standard, small and long dragon boat

According to the length, dragon boats have been divided into three styles: standard, small and long.
– A small boat is around 9-meter long and has 10 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersman;
– A standard boat is around 12-meter long and has 18 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersman;
– A long dragon boat is around 30-meter long and has 48 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersman.
The Standard dragon boat is the most commonly used in the races and competitions. There are specific races also with the small boats. The long dragon boat is the least common.

Usually, the long dragon boats run faster than the shorter ones and are more difficult to control. Besides, it requires higher padding frequency and excellent balance.

Although Hong Kong has so many dragon boat races around the year, Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race on Dragon Boat Festival is one of the only two races using long dragon boats (another one is in Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Races).

Soak or swim in the water of Dragon Boat Races

After Dragon Boat Races, locals will soak themselves in the “Dragon Boat Water” praying for family safety and health. Some of them will even swim in the ocean. Dragon is considered as the sacred god as where the dragon has swum is believed with the power of driving away evil spirit and bring good luck.

In case you are interested in swimming in the “Dragon Boat Water”, make sure to watch the dragon boat races in the beach areas, such as Stanley or Lamma Island, where swimming is allowed.

Read More:
Other traditional celebrations in Hong Kong, such as CNY, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.. Plan your travel wisely.

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Where to watch Dragon Boat Races of 2023 Dragon Boat Festival?

Due to the impact of pandemic, Hong Kong has cancelled many large activities for years. There were no dragon boat race for three years since 2020 in many districts. Finally, it completely comes back. As always, the races will be at various locations such as Stanley, Tai O, Aberdeen, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Cheung Chau for 2023 Dragon Boat Festival.

1. Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships (Highly recommended)

When: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023 
Where: Stanley Main Beach
How much: Free admission
Race course: 270 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
Narration: Cantonese and English

Stanley, as a popular tourist attraction, is famous for its beach, street market and the beachside pubs. You can easily spend a day in Stanley after the dragon boat races and take a look around.

Stanley Dragon Boat Races is Hong Kong’s largest Dragon Boat Festival racing. Teams are coming from all around the world, such as Hong Kong, U.K., Holland, Canada, France, Swiss, etc. In 2019, 272 teams and over 5000 rowers came to the beach and joined the competition.

Dragon Boat Race on Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) in Stanley

Dragon Boat Race on Dragon Boat Festival in Stanley

Besides the race competition, teams in face paint and colourful wigs will aim for “The Most Outstanding Outfit Award”. In the previous years, there were teams as “Panda Paddlers”, “Hammerhead Sharks”, “Tai Tam Tigers”, turning this traditional event to a fancy dress party.

Dragon Boat Race on Dragon Boat Festival - Shark Team

Dragon Boat Race on Tuen Ng Festival - Shark Team

Dragon Boat Races in Stanley on Dragon Boat Festival - Panda Team and Avatar Team

Panda Team and Avatar Team

How to get to Stanley:

The easiest way is to take MTR to Hong Kong station and exit through Exit D. Transfer to CityBus 6, 6X or 260 at Central’s Exchange Square to Stanley. If you start from other locations, you can check out the bus route, operation time and fees from the official site of Citybus.

Crowds watching racing of Dragon Boat Festival in Stanley beach

Crowds watching Dragon Boat Festival in Stanley beach

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2. Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade and Dragon Boat Races (Highly recommended)

When: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023 (Tai O Dragon Boat Parade) and 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023 (Tai O Dragon Boat Race) 
Where: Tai O Creek and Pier, Lantau Island (Tai O Dragon Boat Parade) and Tai O Promenade, Lantau Island (Tai O Dragon Boat Race)
How much: Free admission
Narration: Cantonese

Tai O Fishing Village is one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong located on Lantau Island. It is famous for its traditional Chinese stilt-house community and is considered as “Venice of the Orient”.

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade or Tai O Dragon Boat Gods Parade is a religious dragon boat event held on Tuen Ng Festival in Tai O. This over 100-year traditional “Water Parade” ritual has been listed as an item of the “National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China” in 2011.

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade on Dragon Boat Festival

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade on Dragon Boat Festival

Every year, Tai O’s three fishermen associations (Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hop Sum Tong) co-jointly organize this traditional “Water Parade”. On the morning before the festival, members of these associations will travel with their dragon boats to the four temples in the order from Yeung Hau Temple (Marquis Prince), San Tsuen Tin Hau Temple (Empress of Heaven), Kwan Tai Temple (God of War) and then Hung Shing Temple (God of the Sea) to get the deity statutes out and place them at the temporary activity venue.

Kwan Tai Temple in Tai O

Kwan Tai Temple in Tai O

On the day of Dragon Boat Festival, the deity statues will be loaded on small boats towed by three dragon boats through water channels of Tai O. During the ritual, people on boat will perform Fa Yi (burning joss paper) to pacify the wandering water ghosts and pray for the safety of residents. The residents living in the stilt houses along the water channels will join this event as well.

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade with deity statue on Dragon Boat Festival

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade with deity statue

On the same day, there will be the Tai O Dragon Boat Race Competition with dozens of boat teams racing for the honor and celebrating Tuen Ng Festival.

Dragon Boat Race through Tai Chung Bridge in Tai O

Dragon Boat Race through Tai Chung Bridge in Tai O

Besides Tai O, there are several other popular attractions on Lantau Island, such as Tian Tan Buddha, Ngong Ping Cable Car, Po Lin Monastery.

Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island

Tai O fishing village with stilt houses along the waterway.

How to get to Tai O:

Tai O is far away from the downtown area and on the northwestern coast of Lantau Island. The simplest and most economical way is either getting to Tung Chung Town Center and then transferring to New Lantao Bus No.11 or taking Bus No.21 from Ngong Ping. Blue taxis are also an option.

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3. Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race 2023 (Highly recommended)

When: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023 
Where: Aberdeen Promenade, Aberdeen Praya Road
How much: Free admission
Race course: 400 meters
Boat type: Standard boat, long boat
Narration: Cantonese

Aberdeen is famous as it represents Hong Kong’s old fishing life. Although the fishing industry is declining, tourists still love to visit Aberdeen and experience a ride on the traditional sampan.

Harbour along Aberdeen Promenade for dragon boat race

Harbour along Aberdeen Promenade

Aberdeen Dragon Boat Races has over-one-hundred-year history and features one of the most traditional dragon boat races in Hong Kong. While most of the other races are using standard and small dragon boats, races in Aberdeen are racing with private dragon boats and long dragon boats (95-feet long). It takes 50 paddlers to cooperate.

Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Aberdeen with long dragon boat

Races with long dragon boats in Aberdeen

Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Aberdeen with long dragon boat

Long dragon boats in Aberdeen

In 2023, there will be 40 dragon boat teams joining the races.

How to get to Aberdeen:

One option is to take MTR to Hong Kong Station and transfer to Bus 70 from Central Exchange Square to Aberdeen. Alternatively, you can take MTR to Causeway Bay Station and transfer to Bus 72 to Aberdeen. There are many other bus line driving to Aberdeen Promenade Park. Check out the official site of Citybus for more options.

box-info2 Did You Know

  • Ocean Park Hong Kong is close to the Aberdeen Promenade with one or two subway stations away or approx 15 – 20 min taxi ride.”

  • “In the past, many visitors to Aberdeen would also take a look at the famous floating restaurant Jumbo Kingdom close by. This restaurant was very popular because of the previous visitors, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Tom Cruise, etc. Unfortunately, due to the impact of pandemic, Jumbo Kingdom has to end the business in 2020. While being towed to Cambodia, it sank to the ocean due the bad weather.”

    Jumbo Kingdom floating restaurant in Hong Kong at night

    Jumbo Kingdom at night in the past

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4. 2023 Southern Lamma Island Dragon Boat Race and Tin Hau Birthday Celebration (Outlying Island)

When: 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm on the 5th June 2023 
Where: Pichic Bay, Lamma Island
How much: Free admission
Race course: 300 meters
Boat type: Private boat
Narration: Cantonese

Lamma Island is a place to enjoy the scenic landscape and fresh seafood. Every year before Dragon Boat Festival, there will be the traditional dragon boat races and also to celebrate Tin Hau Festival (the birthday of the Chinese goddess of the sea). Although it is not on the Tuen Ng Festival, as it is another traditional event, it worths a visit.

Take a stroll on Lamma Island and enjoy the view

Take a stroll on Lamma Island and enjoy the view

The dragon boat races are using the private boats.

How to get to Lamma Island:

The easiest way is to take the ferry from Central Pier 4 directly to Lamma Island. Alternatively, you can take MTR to Hong Kong Station or Causeway Bay Station and transfer to Bus 70 or 72 to Aberdeen. Then take a boat ride from Aberdeen Promenade to Lok Chau Wan.

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5. Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Regatta 2023

When: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm on the 11th June 2023
Where: Near the former Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College
How much: Free admission
Race course: 300 meters
Boat type: Standard boat, small boat
Narration: Cantonese

The outlying island Cheung Chau Island is a popular resort for locals on weekends due to its scenic views. It is also known for its annual “Cheung Chau Bun Festival” event which is also the Intangible Cultural Heritage and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Cheung Chau Island Hong Kong

Explore Cheung Chau Island

How to get to Cheung Chau:

The easiest way is to take the ferry from Central Pier 5 directly to Cheung Chau.

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6. Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race 2023 (New Territories)

When: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023
Where: Shing Mun River, Sha Tin (starting place is close to Banyan Bridge and the ending close to Sha Yin Bridge)
How much: Free admission
Race course: 300 meters, 500 meters
Boat type: Small boat, Standard boat, Phoenix boat
Narration: Cantonese

If you think all outlying islands are too far away and not convenient to go, Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race may be a better option. It is held annually for almost 30 years and is one of the most popular races in Hong Kong.

It is the first-time dragon boat race after three-year suspension. There year there are over 160 teams participating in 23 races fighting for fame and victory.

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races on Shing Mun River on Tuen Ng Festival

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races on Shing Mun River

In Sha Tin, besides dragon boats, you will have the opportunities to enjoy the unique phoenix boat race, which is exclusively for female paddlers.

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races with phoenix boats on Tuen Ng Festival

Phoenix boat races

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races with phoenix boats on Tuen Ng Festival

Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races with phoenix boats

How to get to Sha Tin Shing Mun River?

Take MTR to Sha Tin station and exit through Exit A. Walk through New Town Plaza to Sha Tin Park and forward to the riverside (about 10 min walk)

box-info2 Did You Know

  • “In the close vicinity of Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, there are two popular attractions: the small Theme Park “Snoopy’s World” and the spectacular “Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery“. The Snoopy’s World is not large in size, however, it’s a good option during the shopping break and for those snoopy and peanuts fans.”

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7. Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival Race 2023

When: 8:00 am – 1:30 pm (race) 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (carnival) on the 22nd June 2023
Where: Sai Kung Waterfront Promenade, Sai Kung (near Sai Kung Pier) / The carnival takes place close by the Tin Hau Temple
How much: Free admission
Race course: 400 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
Narration: Cantonese and English

To celebrate 2023 Dragon Boat Festival, Sai Kung will hold both dragon boat races and carnival.

Over 150 teams will participate in this year event. Be sure to stay after the dragon boat races are over. Sai Kung has a special Dragon Boat Carnival with game stalls and both to be enjoyed by young and old.

Besides Sai Kung is also well-known for its seafood delicacies. Why not try some while you enjoy the spectacular dragon races and enjoy Sai Kung’s picturesque surroundings.

Sai Kung Dragon Boat Festival Hong Kong

Paddlers are practicing for Dragon Boat Races

How to get to Sai Kung:

Take MTR to Hang Hau station and exit through Exit B1. Transfer to minibus 101M to Sai Kung Town terminus. Alternatively, it is easy for tourists to use MTR to Diamond Hill station first. Then directly transfer by Bus No.92 from bus terminus under the subway station.

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8. 2023 Eastern District Dragon Boat Race (Hong Kong Island)

When: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on the 18th June 2023  
Where: Chai Wan Cargo Handling Basin (opposite to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Off)
How much: Free admission
Race course: 350 meters
Boat type: Standard boat, long boat
Narration: Cantonese

It is an annual traditional activity in the Eastern District. This year, there will be more than 60 teams joining this event. The race distance is about 350 meters. Since it will be on the Sunday before Tuen Ng Festival, it is one extra option for those who cannot make it on the Tuen Ng Festival.

How to get to Eastern District Dragon Boat Races:

Take MTR to Chai Wan station, exit through Exit C and transfer to minibus 20M. Get off at Sheung On Street. You can ask the minibus driver to remind you for getting off.

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9. 2023 Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Race (New Territories)

When: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023  
Where: Castle Peak Bay Typhoon Shelter
How much: Free admission
Race course: 400 meters
Boat type: Standard boat, small boat
Narration: Cantonese

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10. 2023 Tai Po Dragon Boat Race (New Territories)

When: 8:30 am – 1:00 pm on the 22nd June 2023  
Where: Tai Po Waterfront Park
How much: Free admission
Race course: 500 meters
Boat type: Standard boat, small boat
Narration: Cantonese

box-info2 Did You Know

  • “Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships,Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade and Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race are very popular activities in the top attraction areas. It is highly possible that there will be crowded with visitors. Since they both are outside the downtown area, please calculate enough time on the way.”

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Legend of Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival has several versions about its origin. The most common story is the one about Qu Yuan, a Chinese National Hero, who was a popular poet and minister during the ancient state of Chu (nowadays Hunan and Hubei Provinces) during Warring States period of China (475BC-221BC).

The king decided to form allies with the powerful state of Qin. Evil and corrupt officials launched several intrigues and Qu Yuan was not only betrayed, accused of treason and dismissed from his office, but also sent to exile.

Being an honest and loyal minister to his king, he realized that his beloved kingdom was in the hands of the wrong people. Qu Yuan decided to jump into Mi Luo River and committed suicide as a protest against the corrupt rulers on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Nearby fishermen paddled out on their boats and tried to save him, but were unable to recover his body. In order to keep the fish from eating his body, legend has it that townspeople threw cooked rice dumplings (Zongzi) into the river and beat drums to scare the fish away.

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