What was once a local Dragon Boat Festival tradition on Longhua's Guanlan River has evolved into an international gathering, drawing overseas competitors and spectators to one of the city's largest cultural and sporting events.

Dragon boat teams race along the Guanlan River in Shenzhen's Longhua District on June 6. The event, one of Shenzhen's largest Dragon Boat Festival celebrations, drew competitors and spectators from China and abroad. Photos by Cai Weize

The 2026 Guanlan River Dragon Boat Race, held on June 6 in Longhua District, attracted 44 teams and 824 athletes, making it the largest dragon boat competition in Shenzhen this year. More than 60,000 spectators attended the event, according to organizers.

While domestic teams claimed the top spots, international participation was one of the event's defining features. Organizers said teams and paddlers from Russia, Singapore, and Malaysia, as well as China's Hong Kong and Macao, joined the competition, adding a global dimension to the annual race.

The open-category title was won by the Shunde Lecong Louvre Dragon Boat Team, while Xinhui Hongdatang Chenpi Dragon Boat Team and Shanghai Hengjie Dragon Boat Team finished second and third, respectively.

Dragon boat teams compete during the 2026 Guanlan River Dragon Boat Race in Shenzhen's Longhua District on June 6.

For many international participants, the race offered more than athletic competition. Jenya from Russia, a member of the Move Forward Blacksmith Dragon Boat Team, returned for a second consecutive year. The 22-member team brought together paddlers from across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, reflecting the increasingly diverse makeup of the event.

Among the spectators were visitors from the United States, Serbia, Germany, Russia and Sri Lanka, many of whom were experiencing a dragon boat race for the first time.

Vicky, a resident from Sri Lanka who attended with her family, said she had known little about the Dragon Boat Festival before the event. Watching crews race down the river helped her better understand the traditions and cultural significance behind one of China's most widely celebrated festivals.

The growing international participation reflects Longhua District's efforts to present traditional Chinese culture through public events that are accessible to international audiences. Dragon boat racing, a centuries-old folk tradition in southern China, has become an increasingly effective platform for cultural exchange in Shenzhen, a city known for its international business community and diverse population.

Beyond the races, visitors experienced cultural performances and festival activities that blended traditional heritage with contemporary elements, offering international guests additional opportunities to engage with local customs.