Written by Emily Dickson
Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, is one of the major traditional festivals across Hong Kong and China.
Steeped in over 2000 years of history, the festival was originally celebrated as a means to commemorate the poet Qu Yuan. What was once made up of simple rituals and small boat races has evolved into a vibrant celebration involving large scale international races, stunning cultural performances and delicious food that attracts thousands of spectators each year.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Dragon Boat Festival falls on May 31st this year. It is a public holiday in the territory so be sure to check opening times of restaurants/shops as these may be subject to change.
What happens
The dragon boat races are definitely the main event of the festival and are well worth checking out. Teams take the competition very seriously, with corporate sponsors, and months of practice leading up to the big event, when paddlers battle it out for glory.
Note: There are numerous races across the city throughout May and June but only a handful of them take place on Dragon Boat festival day itself. See below for a list of the main races on the day and their locations. For more races on other days, check out our full guide to the Hong Kong dragon boat races.
Where and when to watch
Hong Kong island:
Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships 2024
Stanley Main beach31st May, 8:00am-5:00pm
Free
Race course: 270m
Famed for its market, seaside restaurants and expensive homes, Stanley is also the host of one of the largest one day dragon boat events in the world. With over 150 teams and upwards of 5000 paddlers taking part, it’s an iconic experience to be part of either as a competitor or spectator.
The beach is small and gets very busy, very quickly so get there early to get a good spot. Alternatively, head there near the end of the event then walk over to the seaside restaurants where the paddlers flock for a post race street party.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen Promenade, Aberdeen Praya Road31st May, 8:00am-4:00pm
Free
Race course: 400m
Aberdeen is the perfect setting for dragon boat races, where elements of the old fishing village exist alongside modern day life. The races are one of the oldest in Hong Kong and have been taking place here for more than 100 years, maintaining many of their original traditions. Unlike other courses, Aberdeen uses the standard short boats as well as 90ft long boats which carry 50 paddlers and make for even more impressive racing.
New Territories
Sai Kung Tuen Ng Festival
Sai Kung waterfront promenade31st May, 8:00am-1:30pm
Free
Race course: 400m
Another picturesque seaside town, Sai Kung is also a great spot to watch some more racing. It’s a slightly smaller event than the races in Stanley but there’s lots more space for spectators to watch and it doesn’t get as crowded. Opt for this location if you’re after a bit more of a traditional experience. There are some nice cultural activities that take place and the whole celebration feels more authentic and less like an excuse to party.
Sai Kung is filled with bars and restaurants to grab a bite afterwards but plan your journey back home accordingly as queues for taxis and buses will be huge at the end of the day.
Sha Tin
Shing Mun River promenade, between Banyan bridge and Sha Yin bridge31st May, 8:00am-1:00pm
Free
Race course: 300m & 500m
The Shing Mun river in Sha Tin may not normally be high up on travellers’ priorities but on dragon boat festival, the river comes alive with the banging of drums and roar of the crowds. It’s one of the bigger races that takes place on the day and last year saw 160 teams enter. Crowds gather quickly so get down to the promenade early to get a good spot.
Tai Po
Tai Po waterfront park31st May, 8:30am-1:00pm
Free
Race course: 500m
If you fancy exploring further a field, head to Tai Po in the east New Territories for a more rural experience. With more of a focus on the local communities and teams rather than the larger scale races, Tai Po is a nice alternative if you want a slightly less crowded option.
