Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival)
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Date and Holiday
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The 2023 Dragon Boat Festival is on June 22. People in Hong Kong can get one day free from work.
The Tai O Dragon Boat Tour
On the morning of the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, people went to the temples in Tai O to invite the God. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, people will put the God on the dragon boat in the early morning, and cruise along the waterways. The residents on the shore will burn incense and worship, and at the last of the parade, locals will send the God back to the temple.
When and Where to See Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong
The dragon boat race is the most entertaining and cohesive group event during Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. As the origin of the modern dragon boat race, Hong Kong holds dragon boat races every year not only during the festival, but also in other time.
| Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race | Place |
|---|---|
| Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships | Stanley Main Beach |
| Aberdeen Dragon Boat Races | Aberdeen |
| Saikung Dragon Boat Festival | Saikung Town Waterfront |
| Sha Tin Dragon Boat Races | Shing Mun River (starting close to Banyan Bridge and ending close to Sha Yin Bridge), Sha Tin in the New Territories |
| Tai Po Dragon Boat Races | Promenade at Tai Po Waterfront Park in the New Territories |
| Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Races and Carnival | Tai Pak Beach, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island |
| Cheung Chau Dragon Boat Festival | Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter |
| Mui Wo Dragon Boat Race Open | Silvermine Bay Beach, Mui Wo, Lantau Island |
| Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade | Tai O, Lantau Island |
| Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival | Power Plant Beach, Lamma Island |
| 2020 Sai Kung Dragon Boat Race Gala | Races: Sai Kung Promenade (near Sai Kung Pier) Carnival: Sai Kung Promenade Park |
| Tai Po District Dragon Boat Race | Promenade at Tai Po Waterfront Park, Tai Po |
| Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Race | Castle Peak Bay, Area 44, Tuen Mun |
The race schedule of 2025 normally will be announced in March-June in 2025. We will update the time as the very first time. Read more about
Dragon Boat Races
What is a Dragon Boat? - All You Need to Know about Dragon Boating
Swim in “Dragon Boat Water”
Hong Kong people think the dragon boat is auspicious, so that the water that the dragon boat slides over is also full of good luck. People in Hong Kong will dip into the “dragon boat water” after the dragon boat race. They believe that the “dragon boat water” can remove evil spirits and bring good luck and safety for them.
Eat Festival Food: Zongzi
Zongzi in Hong Kong is roughly the same as some coastal areas in southern China. The fillings are often sticky rice soaked with alkaline water and salty bacon as well as red cardamom and mung bean. Read more about Zongzi
Other Activities of Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
There are many other folk customs in Tuen Ng Festival: hanging kudzu vine to pray for peace; dry ginger and collect it after a hundred days; drink noon tea to counteract evil force, remove bad luck, clear heat and remove toxicity away and prevent diseases; fetch water at 12:00 on the Dragon Boat Festival to take a bath which is believed can bring a healthy body and good luck.
Further Reading: Hong Kong Travel Guide