Foshan Dragonboat Race

In the ancient documents, the earliest record of dragon boat is in the “Story of Mutianzi”.

About origin of dragon boat, the most popular belief is that it resulted from the activity of memorizaliation of Chu poet Qu Yuan.

On the fifth day of the fifth month in B.C. 278, the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, whose political propositions were not accepted and who was framed by some ville officers, sunk himself with hatred into Miluo River.

The Chu people were sympathizing with him and one after another sailed on the river to save him. This legend gradually resulted in the Dragon Boat race, which evolved from the folk custom to official professional contest and finally formed the Dragon Boat Sports Culture.

During the dragon boat festival each year, in Foshan the dragon boat races will be held everywhere, when competitors will be sent by various villages. The beautiful and striking dragon boats are racing on the river, with the audience standing along the riverside, when the noises of gongs and drums as well as shouts can be heard everywhere.