Top 8 Events of Dragon Boat Racing in China

Dragon boat racing is one of the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival in China and an important sport and entertainment project in China. Many dragon boat races are held throughout China each year. Here we list top 8 events of Dragon Boat Racing China for your reference. 

China Longzhou Tournament is the top dragon boat race with the highest level and the biggest rewards.
Time & Place:
May 6 - 10, 2026, Leshan, Sichuan

 

The China Dragon Boat Race Open was founded in 2011 and is one of the two brand events of the China Dragon Boat Association.  

Time (dates to be confirmed)	Place (detailed address to be confirmed)
Station Competition
June	Hechuan, Chongqing
June	Jingzhou, Hubei
June	Yongzhoudao, Hunan
June	Taiyuan, Shanxi
June	Xiantao, Hubei
September / October	Zhaoping, Guangxi
Final Competition
November	Nanping, Fujian

 

Also known as Hunan Province Dragon Boat Super League, it has been held since 1987 on Miluo River, the birthplace of the Dragon Boat Festival which Qu Yuan the patriotic poet threw himself into. Except for the competitive races, decorated dragon boat exhibition and performance can also be seen and the Qu Yuan memorial ceremony will be held. Notably, the 100-meter (328ft) long dragon boat which received the Guinness World Record will be in the race.
Time: June 18-19, 2026
Place: Miluo River International Dragon Boat Racing Center, Miluo City, Hunan
 

Hong Kong is the birthplace of the modern dragon boat competition. As one of the highest professional events in the world, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament has been held since 1976.
Time: Jun. 27-28, 2026
Place: Off Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade, Hong Kong
 

The Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament is regarded as one of the best dragon boat races in the world, attracting more than 100 dragon boat teams every year.
Time: June 16, 2026
Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong
 

Traced back to 1979, the annual dragon boat race became a major event in Macau. In 1982, it became an international event, attracting competitors from many countries and regions.
Time: June 13, 14, 19, 2026
Place: Nam Van Lake, Macau
 

To remember Chen Jiageng, a famous patriot of China who founded Jimei University and Xiamen University and his brother Chen Jingxian, Jimei Dragon Boat Race was renamed as “Jiageng Cup” “Jingxian Cup” Dragon Boat Race. In 2006, the race was named as “Jiageng Cup” “Jingxian Cup” Cross-Strait Dragon Boat Race. 
Time: June, 2026
Place: Xiamen, Fujian
 

Originally called Nan’ao Maritime Dragon Boat Race, the race has been held 19 times, attracting many dragon boat teams from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as many tourists. Besides the exciting races, watchers can also enjoy the traditional cultural performances of Nan’ao and taste Nan’ao sea urchin rice dumplings and special food.
Time: June, 2026
Place: Shenzhen

Further Reading
What is a Dragon Boat? - All You Need to Know about Dragon Boating