The fragrance of zongzi fills the air as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches. On the afternoon of May 30, the 18th Luodian Dragon Boat Cultural Festival kicked off at Meilan Lake in Luodian Town, Baoshan District. As a national-level intangible cultural heritage with over 400 years of history, the Luodian Dragon Boat Rowing Tradition offered citizens a vibrant celebration of traditional Chinese culture during this year’s festival.

The opening ceremony featured a series of solemn and time-honored rituals, captivating the audience. The traditional rites—including “dotting the eyes” “raising the flagpole” “igniting the prosperity fire bowl” “sending the ritual symbol” “welcoming the dragon” and “cutting the mooring rope”—were performed in sequence to bless the safe and auspicious launch of the dragon boats.

With the official command to “set sail”, three dragon boats—Qinglong (Azure Dragon), Huanglong (Yellow Dragon), and Zilong (Purple Dragon)—cut through the waves to the rhythmic beat of drums, marking the start of the signature“Water Parade” performance.

On the lake, the boats dazzled spectators with masterful maneuvering. Under the expert control of rowers, the boats spun nimbly while paddlers, moving in perfect unison, showcased dazzling techniques known as “left sweep like a rainbow, right sweep like lightning”. As multiple boats approached from different directions, complex formations such as the “chain weave” and “interlocking loop” unfolded across the water. Combined with dramatic fire and water effects, the performance created a breathtaking spectacle symbolizing the harmony of water and fire.

This year’s “Water Parade” introduced a creative twist by incorporating the character Dark Wukong, blending traditional dragon boat culture with themes from Journey to the West, to the delight of the crowd.

Stetsiuk Kateryna, a tourist from Ukraine, shared her impression: “The show was absolutely stunning! It was my first time seeing a performance like this, and I was completely blown away. I’ve always loved the Monkey King, and every detail—from the color palette to the performers—was perfectly designed. It gave me a whole new perspective on Chinese culture.”

Local resident Liu Ying said:“As a native of Luodian, I look forward to the dragon boat performances every Dragon Boat Festival. These intangible cultural heritage traditions carry our collective memory, and they’re also a great way for more people to connect with traditional Chinese culture.”

Originating in the Ming Dynasty and flourishing in the Qing Dynasty, the Luodian Dragon Boat tradition embodies the historic prosperity of “Golden Luodian”. Known for emphasizing visual performance over competitive racing, it has become a national cultural treasure. Each dragon boat is a masterpiece combining eight traditional crafts—including shipbuilding, carving, and brocade weaving. The intricately designed prow pavilion reflects the architecture of the Ming Dynasty’s Beiji Pavilion. The boats are adorned with 18 types of weaponry, flowing tassels, and 53 colorful flags fluttering in the wind—making them true floating works of art.

This year’s festival runs through June 2nd and features six themed activities in addition to the twice-daily dragon boat performances. Highlights include an invitational dragon boat race, zongzi-making contest, intangible cultural heritage workshops, fireworks market, and a kayaking competition. Visitors can both enjoy traditional craftsmanship and engage in interactive experiences, immersing themselves fully in the charm of Dragon Boat Festival culture.