Top 8 Events of Dragon Boat Racing in China
1. China Longzhou Tournament
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
2. China Dragon Boat Race Open
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 |
3. 2026 Miluo River International Dragon Boat Festival
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
4. Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
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
5. Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament
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
6. 2026 SJM Macau International Dragon Boat Race
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
7. Cross-Strait Dragon Boat Race
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
8. 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Maritime Dragon Boat Race
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
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