More than 100 powerful dragon boat crews gathered in Jiujiang Town of Foshan, China’s first officially designated Dragon Boat Town, to compete in a 22-kilometer open-water marathon race.

The competition got underway immediately after the starting signal. More than 100 five-person dragon boat teams surged forward at full speed, marking the launch of the largest five-person dragon boat competition held in the Greater Bay Area so far this year.

The brand-new 22-kilometer course attracted skilled paddlers from Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Zhongshan, and other Greater Bay Area cities, bringing together top athletes for an intense head-to-head contest. The Guangdong Yuanlin Dragon Boat Team claimed victory in the open division, crossing the finish line first with a time of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 58 seconds.

Tens of thousands of spectators watched the event on site, while online livestream viewership reached hundreds of thousands. The spectacular race has further enhanced Jiujiang’s reputation as a renowned dragon boat destination.

The popular sporting event also boosted spending on local catering, cultural souvenirs, homestay services, and other tourism-related businesses. Local homestays and cafés welcomed significantly more visitors during the competition period.