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. 
 

1. China Longzhou Tournament

China Longzhou Tournament is the top dragon boat race with the highest level and the biggest rewards.
Time & Place:
May 17 - 18, 2025, Yancheng, Jiangsu
May. 30-31, 2025, Fuzhou, Fujian

 

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 Place
Station Competition
Apr. 22-23 Suining, Sichuan
May 20-21 Changshan, Quzhou, Zhejiang
May 27-28 Enyang District, Bazhong, Sichuan
May 10-11 Yongjing, Gansu
May 10-11 Yonghzou, Hunan
May 17-18 Putuo District, Shanghai
May 17-18 Jingzhou, Hubei
May 21-22 Shijiazhuang, Hebei
May 21-22 Tongren, Guizhou
May 1-2 Xiantao, Hubei
May 1-2 Tianshui, Gansu
May 9-10 Zhaopin, Hehzou, Guangxi
Final Competition
Nov. 18-19 Nanping, Fujian
 

3. 2025 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament and Beijing Dragon Boat Race

Founded in 2009 and held once a year, 2025 Beijing Dragon Boat Race is a localized event with men and women’s mixed dragon boat races. 23 teams from all districts of Beijing and nearly 400 athletes are ready to compete.
Time: May 31
Place: Xiaoyue Lake, Fengtai District, Beijing
 

4. Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament

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. 304, 2025
Place: Tsim Sha Tsui, 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: May 26, 2025
Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong
 

6. 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: May 26-28, 2025
Place: Nam Van Lake, Macau
 

7. 17th “Jiageng Cup” “Jingxian Cup” Cross-Strait (Jimei) 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: May 3-4, 2025
Place: Xiamen, Fujian
 

8. 2025 First 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: May 29-30, 2025
Place: Yueliang Bay, Nan’ao Subdistrict, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen


Further Reading
What is a Dragon Boat? - All You Need to Know about Dragon Boating
- Last updated on Sep. 24, 2024 by Gabby Li -