Guangzhou dragon boat teams triumph in Britain, sharing centuries of tradition

The rhythmic beat of drums echoed across the waters of Salford Quays in Greater Manchester on June 13 as two dragon boat teams from Tianhe district, Guangzhou, traveled to the United Kingdom for the 12th U.K. Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

Over 50 teams from across Britain competed in the event, reflecting the growing popularity of dragon boat racing in the U.K.

Representing Guangzhou were the Liede Dragon Boat Team and the Yangji Dragon Boat Team, both deeply rooted in the city's long-established dragon boat traditions.

Carrying centuries of Lingnan heritage and the enduring spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival, the two teams are not simply competitive crews: they are inheritors of a living cultural legacy passed down through generations.

Liede village, with a history of nearly 900 years, has preserved its dragon boat customs for centuries, with local races dating back well over a hundred years. Each racing season begins not with the sound of paddles, but with time-honored rituals. Local residents gather to prepare the dragon boats, perform traditional ceremonies and offer blessings for safety, good fortune and prosperity.

For them, every dragon boat is not merely a vessel for competition; it is a cherished symbol of the village's history, identity and shared memories.

Members of the Liede Dragon Boat Team decorate a dragon boat with traditional Lingnan motifs. (People's Daily Online/Wu Yuyangyang)

Yangji village likewise treasures its dragon boat heritage. Generation after generation, families have devoted themselves to protecting and passing on the tradition, with elders teaching the young not only how to paddle, but also the stories, values and sense of belonging carried by each dragon boat.

For them, safeguarding the dragon boats means preserving the spirit of the community itself, ensuring that the traditions of unity, perseverance and mutual support continue to thrive for generations to come.

The Yangji Dragon Boat Team performs the traditional Zhaojing ritual. (People's Daily Online/Han Yuxuan)

Before taking to the racecourse, the Guangzhou delegation participated in the China-U.K. Dragon Boat Cultural Exchange Conference, sharing the history and traditions of dragon boating with local communities, overseas Chinese and cultural enthusiasts.

The event offered visitors a deeper understanding of the Dragon Boat Festival and highlighted dragon boating as both a competitive sport and an important symbol of Lingnan culture.

Many local paddlers said the festival went beyond competition. They believed it provided a valuable opportunity to learn about Chinese traditions and the cultural significance of dragon boating, while also enriching their own community life by bringing people from different backgrounds together through sport and cultural exchange.

Guangzhou's Liede and Yangji dragon boat teams celebrate after finishing first and third, respectively, at the 12th U.K. Chinese Dragon Boat Festival. (People's Daily Online/Yang Haopeng)

Despite jet lag after arriving in the U.K., the Guangzhou athletes delivered outstanding performances. The Liede Dragon Boat Team claimed first place, while the Yangji Dragon Boat Team secured third, demonstrating Guangzhou's strength in dragon boat racing on the international stage.

Li Chiying, chairman of Liede Economic Development Co., Ltd. and representative of the Guangzhou delegation, said the athletes gave their all throughout the competition despite the challenges of overseas travel. He emphasized that the festival's significance went well beyond the sporting arena, helping promote Chinese culture and strengthen ties between China and the U.K.