Hong Kong is a great city when it comes to dragon boat races. There are many international and regional races from March to December every year. Some of them are more of religious events for worshiping dragon god whilst others are like a big party or carnival for the paddlers.
The dragon boat race is not only a sport, but also an important tradition to locals, especially because Hong Kong was a small fishing village. For many local fishermen, it is a religious activity as they consider dragon boats as sacred mascots to the dragon god. They take it very seriously and usually will hold some traditional rituals to awake the dragon before races.
Amongst all the races, the most popular ones are those on the Dragon Boat Festival and Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. So, here is a complete guide about where to watch the best dragon boat races in Hong Kong. Mark down the dates if you are interested.
Best dragon boat races in Hong Kong (2023)
Guide of 2023 Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong
When are the 2023 dragon boat races in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has various dragon boat races all year around, including both international and regional races, either in the traditional way or as sports competition. Most of the races are around April to July, when the weather is more suitable for training and practices.
2023 Hong Kong major dragon boat race schedule
In 2023, the major races are expected/will be on the following dates.
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Date |
Event |
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Major dragon boat races in Hong Kong (2023) |
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22nd of June 2023 |
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21st and 22nd of June 2023 |
Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade |
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22nd of June 2023 |
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24th and 25th of June 2023 |
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Other regional dragon boat races in 2023 |
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Various dates all year around |
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History of traditional and modern races
Dragon boat races are always associated with excitement, sport, and teamwork. Do you know it is actually one of the oldest Chinese tradition, which can be traced back to 4000 years ago when people worshiped dragon as god?
However, the modern dragon boat race becoming a sports competition started only in 1976, when the fishermen in Hong Kong organized a humble international dragon boat event. Only 9 locals and one foreign team from Japan participated in that race. Since then, dragon boat races grew rapidly over the years and have developed to a modern sports project in over 30 countries.
Know more about dragon boat races
Boat style: public boats and private boats
Dragon boat races can be classified into public boats and private boats. The public boats are the common style we usually see on TV or used in the official competition. Some of the new boats are made of carbon fiber, light to row. In the formal contest, all the teams must have the same pattern and design of boats.
The private boats come from own teams and are like the modified racing cars, which can be adjusted according to teams’ own requirements. The private boats are mostly made of teak wood, heavier but not affected by the wind and water flow. The races in Aberdeen on Tuen Ng Festival are using the private boats.
Public boat used in Stanley
Boat size: standard, small and long boats
There are three sizes of the boats: 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. The long boat is around 30-meter long and has 48 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 steersman.
Usually, long boats run faster than the shorter ones and also are more difficult to control. Besides, it requires higher padding frequency and excellent balance.
Most of the races in Hong Kong are using the standard and small boats. However, the races in Aberdeen and Tuen Mun on Tuen Ng Festival are using the long boat, which gives more excitement to watch.
Race course
The courses of dragon boat races can be as short as 100 meters (small boats) to 2000 meter long, even to 10 kilometers (Half Marathon).
Major dragon boat races in Hong Kong – where and what are they?
Every year, there are three international championships: Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships, Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races and Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Championships, where you will find the paddlers coming from all around the world. The first two races will be around Dragon Boat Festival (May or June) whilst the last one will usually be in October.
Due to the impact of pandemic, most of the public activities were either cancelled or postponed in the past three years. So as the dragon boat races. This year is the first year after the long time that Hong Kong restores the various celebrations and competitions.
The most popular races are on the Tuen Ng Festival when local families are coming to watch and celebrate together.
Races on Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival) – May or June
Dragon Boat Festival, or called Tuen Ng 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, the Dragon Boat Festival will be on the 22nd of June 2023.
On this festival, Hong Kong will have dragon boat races at various locations from Stanley, Tai O, Aberdeen, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tuen Mun to Cheung Chau and Peng Chau. Rowers and paddlers will crowd the waterways cross Hong Kong and enjoy the festivities of this tradition.
Crowds watching races in Stanley beach
Amongst all the races, the most popular races are in Stanley and Tai O.
The races in Stanley is the largest and international races attracting thousands of people each year while Tai O Water Parade is listed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China as the hidden treasure of Hong Kong.
Highlight: 2023 Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships
Stanley, as a popular tourist attraction, is famous for its beach, street market and the beachside pubs.
The Stanley Dragon Boat Races is the largest race on Dragon Boat Festival. In 2019, there were 272 teams and over 5000 rowers to the beach and join the competition. Teams are from all around the world, such as Hong Kong, U.K., Holland, Canada, France, Swiss, etc.
Races on Tuen Ng Festival in Stanley
Besides races, teams will dress up to win “The Most Outstanding Outfit Award”, turning the Championships into a giant costume party.
Shark Team
Panda Team and Avatar Team
Except the top races, races in other districts are also very interesting. The races in Aberdeen is not only a 100-year-old tradition but uses long dragon boat to race, which is more difficult to row than the shorter ones.
Races with long dragon boats in Aberdeen
From races in Sha Tin Shing Mun River, you can enjoy not only the dragon boat races but also the phoenix boat races.
Races in Sha Tin on Shing Mun River
Phoenix boat racing in Sha Tins
More to Know
Guide to 2023 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival and Races
Hong Kong will celebrate Tuen Ng Festival with many exciting races in June. Check out the tradition and races in different districts.
2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
Organized by Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival have become one of the largest activities in town. It is usually held about one week after the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. In 2023, it will be on 24th and 25th of June 2023.
In the previous year, the venues were in both Kowloon side in East Tsim Sha Tsui and Central Promenade. Similar to Stanley International Championships, it attracts every time over thousands of athletes every year fighting for the championships.
Races on Victoria Harbour
For 2023, there will be 15 cups of standard dragon boat on a 500-meter course.
Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races on Victoria Harbour
More to Know
2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
Enjoy world’s best races and teams at 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races at TST East Promenade.
Religious races: Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade (May or June)
Tai O 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 fishing village with stilt houses along the waterway
Every year during Tuen Ng Festival, the whole village will hold a special and very traditional dragon boat ritual and races, called “Dragon Boat Water Parade” or “Gods Parade”. It is expected to be on the 21st and 22nd of June in 2023.
Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade on Tuen Ng Festival
The residents of Tai O have worked hard to pass on this tradition from generation to generation. In 2011, Dragon Boat Water Parade in Tai O was inscribed onto the “National list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China”.
Ritual of Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade
History of Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade
It is said that over 100 years ago there was a serious plague killed many villagers in Tai O. In order to bring peace back the village, Tai O decided to invite the gods from four temples onto sacred boat towed by dragon boats, sailing along the water channels. Since then, this tradition was kept and is performed every year.
Rituals of Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade
The process of Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade is separated into two days. The first day will be picking up the gods from temples. The second day will be Gods Parade and returning gods back to temples. Every year, Tai O’s three fishermen associations (Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hop Sum Tong) co-jointly organize this tradition.
Returning deity statues
During Water Parade, people on the sacred boats will perform Fa Yi (burning joss paper and sprinkling soaked rice to the water) to ask for the blessing of the deities and to pacify the wandering water ghosts. While the dragon boats pass by the stilt-houses, the residents will join this event as well, praying, burning joss paper and incense.
The Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade and Races is one of the best events to experience Hong Kong’s authentic fishing culture, dragon boat races as well as Tai O’s old heritage and their Chinese stilt house community.
More to Know
2023 Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade on Tuen Ng Festival
The Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade on Lantau Island is the best way to experience traditional dragon boat races, authentic fishing culture and their stilt-house community. It is also on the list of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Other regional dragon boat races in Hong Kong (various dates)
In case you cannot make it for the major races, Hong Kong also has many regional dragon boat competition on different months. Check out which one meets your schedule and is convenient for you to join. Most of the boat races are outside the city center and may cost a bit of time traveling.
Schedule and locations of Other dragon boat races in Hong Kong in 2023
(Listed in time sequence)
2023 HK Half Marathon DB Championships
Date: 15th of January 2023
Venue: Sha Tin
Race course: 10km
Boat type: Standard boat and small boat
2023 Kwai Tsing District Invitational Dragon Boat Race
Date: 28th of May 2023
Venue: Kwai Tsing
Race course: 200 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
2023 Tsuen Wan Dragon Boat Race
Date: 11th of June 2023
Venue: Tsuen Wan Promenade
Race course: 350 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 The Sun Life Hong Kong DB Short Course Races in Stanley
Date: 1st of July 2023
Venue: Stanley Main Beach
Race course: 200 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
2023 Lamma Island Sok Kwu Wan DB Race
Date: 1st of July 2023
Venue: Lamma Island Sok Kwu Wan
Race course: 250 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Tai O Dragon Boat Championship
Date: 9th of July 2023
Venue: Tai O Boat Anchorage
Race course: 300 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
2023 Tseung Kwan O DB Competition
Date: 9th of July 2023
Venue: Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park
Race course: 300 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Premier Race
Date: 16th of July 2023
Venue: Promenade opposite Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road
Race course: 200 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Tai O Small DB Race
Date: 13th of August 2023
Venue: Tai O Public Pier
Race course: 200 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Kwun Tong Dragon Boat Race
Date: 3rd of September 2023
Venue: Kwun Tong Promenade
Race course: 250 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Sai Kung Summer Vigor Small DB Race
Date: 3rd of September 2023
Venue: Sai Kung Pier
Race course: 250 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 King of The World DB Competition
Date: 2nd of October 2023
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Venue: Shau Kei Wan Aldrich Bay
Race course: 310 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
2023 Tsing Yi Small DB Carnival
Date: 8th of October 2023
Venue: Tsing Yi Northeast Park
Race course: 180 meters
Boat type: Small boat
2023 Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Gala
Date: 9th of October 2023
Venue: Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach
Race course: 430 meters
Boat type: Standard boat
2023 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Championships
Date: September, November & December 2023
Venue: Sha Tin Shing Mun River
Race course: 200 meters, 500 meters and 2km
Boat type: Standard boat
How to get different venues to watch dragon boat races?
- Stanley Main Beach
- Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach
- Sha Tin Shing Mun River
- Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park
- Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road
- Kwun Tong Promenade
- Sai Kung Pier
- Shau Kei Wan Aldrich Bay
- Tsing Yi Northeast Park
- Tuen Mun Castle Peak Beach
How to get to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach?
Besides taxis, you can also reach Discovery Bay by bus or ferry. The 24-hour service ferry runs between Central Ferry Pier No.3 and Discovery Bay Ferry Pier. The ferry ride takes around 25 minutes. Check out ferry schedule and prices.
How to get to Stanley Main Beach?
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. Once arriving, following the signs or crowds to the Stanley Main Beach.
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)
How to get to Tseung Kwan O Waterfront Park?
Take MTR to Tseung Kwan O station and exit through Exit A1. Walk along Tong Chun Street towards harbourfront about 10-15 minutes to the Tseng Kwan O Waterfront Park.
How to get to Cheung Chau Sai Tai Road?
Cheung Chau is an outlying island of Hong Kong. You will need to take the ferry from the Central Pier 5 to Cheung Chau Island. The ferry ride takes approx. 40 minutes (Fast Ferry) or 60 minutes (Ordinary Ferry). Normally the ferry will operate between 12:30 am to 11:45 pm.
Once arriving, turn right and walk along Tai Hing Tai Road to Sai Tai Road (about 15 minutes).
How to get to Kwun Tong Promenade?
There are many ways of getting to Kwun Tong Promenade. The easiest for tourist is by MTR to Ngau Tau Kok station and take Exit B6. Walk along Lai Yip Street about 15 minutes to the waterfront.
There are also ferries available from Sai Wan Ho (operated by Coral Sea Ferry) and North Point (operated by Fortune Ferry Ltd.) on Hong Kong Island to Kwun Tong Public Pier.
How to get to Sai Kung Pier?
Sai Kung is a region famous for the scenic views, seafood and beach in New Territories outside the city. Take MTR to Hang Hau station and exit through Exit B1. Transfer to minibus 101M to Sai Kung Town terminus.
Alternatively, you can take MTR to Diamond Hill station and transfer to KMB Bus.No.92.
How to get to Shau Kei Wan Aldrich Bay?
Shau Kei Wan Aldrich Bay is only 5 to 10 minute walk away from the MTR Shau Kei Wan station.
How to get to Tsing Yi Northeast Park?
The easiest way to travel to Tsing Yi Northeast Park is by KMB Bus. There are many bus options from different districts: 41A (from East TST), 41M and 41P (from Tsuen Wan MTR station), 44 (from MTR East Mongkok station) and 948 (from Causeway Bay). Choose the one close to you and get off at Cheung On Bus Terminus. The park is 5-minute away on foot. To see more details about the bus route, operation time and fees, check from the official site of KMB bus.
How to get to Tuen Mun Castle Peak Beach?
Tuen Mun is in New Territories. You can take MTR West Railway to Tuen Mun Station and transfer to the Light Railway 505 to Sam Shing Stop. The Castle Peak Beach is within 10-minute walking distance from the stop.