Where to Watch the Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong 2024
Thrilling boat races and festivities, the Dragon Boat Festival offers a rush for spectators and participants alike, yet holds deeper cultural roots beyond the excitement. Read on to find out where to watch these spectacular races.
Monday, 10th June 2024
Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships
Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Stanley Main Beach
Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival
Time: 8:00am to 2:30pm (races); 10:00am to 1:00pm (carnival)
Where: Sai Kung Waterfront and Promenade
Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race
Time: 8:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Shing Mun River (Banyan Bridge-Sha Yin Bridge)
Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race
Time: 8:00am to 1:00pm
Where: Shing Mun River
Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race
Time: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Where: Aberdeen Promenade and Aberdeen West Typhoon Shelter
Tai Po Dragon Boat Race
Time: 8:30am to 1:00pm
Where: Tai Po Waterfront Park Promenade
Tuen Mun Dragon Boat Race
Time: 9:00am 1:00pm
Where: Castle Peak Bay, Area 44, Tuen Mun
Other Dates
Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
When: Saturday, 15th June to Sunday 16th June 2024 | 8:00am to 5:30pm
Where: Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade & Dragon Boat Races
When: Sunday, 30th June 2024 | 7:00am to 2:00pm (Dragon Boat Parade) and 10:00am to 2:00pm (Dragon Boat Races)
Where: Tai O Creek and Pier (Dragon Boat Parade) and Tai O Promenade (Dragon Boat Races)
A Bit of History
The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Southeast Asia, traces its origins to Ancient China’s Zhou dynasty. The festival commemorates the tragic tale of Qu Yuan, a revered poet who opposed his ruler’s alliance with the Qin kingdom, which was believed to have a corrupt system. Accused of treason and exiled, Qu Yuan drowned himself. His followers searched for his body but to no avail. They started to drop rice balls in the water so that the fish wouldn’t eat his body and they banged on their drums to scare them away. This birthed the cherished traditions honouring this loyal poet.