On the afternoon of May 26, it was announced at a press conference that the 2025 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament would be held on the section of the Pearl River between the Square of Sun Yat-Sen University North Entry and Guangzhou Bridge on June 1.
The 2024 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament. The competition is jointly organized by the Social Sports Guidance Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Dragon Boat Association, and the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government.
This year, the tournament features a total of four main racing categories. The competition includes the 22-person dragon boat 600-meter straight race, divided into four groups: the Men's Open Category, the Women's Open Category, the Men's International Category, and the University Student Category. In addition to the intense dragon boat racing, the event features traditional dragon performances, such as colorful dragon boat races and dragon boat parades, showcasing the unique characteristics of Lingnan traditional culture.
A total of 116 dragon boat teams and over 4,000 athletes have registered to participate in the competition this year. In addition to teams from universities and various districts of Guangzhou, there are 12 teams from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, as well as seven international teams from Russia, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. Additionally, there are eight teams from consulates and business associations based in Guangzhou. Representative teams from seven sister cities, including Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Qingyuan, Zhaoqing, Jieyang, and Longyan in Fujian, will also participate.
The 2024 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament
Before the competition, the organizing committee has planned two pre-event promotional activities. The first activity will be held at Guangming Square on Beijing Road. The inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of dragon boat culture will be invited to demonstrate dragon boat-making skills on site and share the stories behind this craft. Through activities such as robot + lion dance parades and interactive games, the organizing committee will engage with the general public.
The second promotional activity will be held in Zhujiang Park. By setting up novel and interesting games and presenting performances like Yingge dance, band shows, and light shows, the event aims to blend traditional folk customs with modern culture, providing citizens and tourists with an enjoyable Dragon Boat Festival experience filled with the charm of Cantonese culture.
To coincide with a series of dragon boat events, including the 2025 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament, Guangzhou has launched over 650 cultural and tourism activities under the theme "Come to Guangzhou and Watch the Dragon Boat Race" during the Dragon Boat Festival period.
The 2024 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament
This year, as the race day falls on the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the organizing committee sincerely invites citizens and tourists to visit the south bank of the Pearl River for the 2025 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament and experience the excitement of the dragon boat race up close.
On the competition day, a spectator area will be set up on the south bank of the race section (near the Sun Yat-Sen University North Entry). The public can watch the race on the section of the Pearl River between the Square of Sun Yat-Sen University North Entry and Guangzhou Bridge.
According to the Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau, the weather on June 1 is expected to be cloudy with rain, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C, and an average relative humidity of 80%. The organizing committee advises spectators to bring rain gear and prioritize safety while enjoying the event.
The race course will be closed to navigation on June 1. Temporary traffic control will be implemented on sections including Qingbo Road (晴波路), Tanyue Street (潭月街), Haishan Street (海山街), Yuchang Street (漁唱街), and the Square of Sun Yat-Sen University North Entry. Specific arrangements are subject to official announcements by the public security and maritime authorities. Citizens are advised to pay attention to the race schedule and temporary control notices issued by these authorities. Public transportation is recommended whenever possible.
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