The 18th China Ankang Han River Dragon Boat Culture Festival Splashes Down

The Worship Ceremony of the 18th China Ankang Han River Dragon Boat Culture Festival

On June 16th, 2018, the 18th China Ankang Han River Dragon Boat Culture Festival kicked off in Ankang, Shaanxi with a customary rallying cry of "invite the dragon". People along the Han River prayed for peace as a flotilla of dragon boats raced down the river.

The Worship Ceremony of the 18th China Ankang Han River Dragon Boat Culture Festival

Through the ancient-style worship ceremony, wonderful cultural performances of intangible cultural heritage and fierce dragon boat racing, visitors from around the world were treated to a dazzling buffet of dragon boat culture, which can be traced back thousands of years, and to a full display of the hardworking and pioneering spirit of local Ankang people.

Performance – Xianzi Opera

Dragon Boat Culture Festival, a unique dragon boat racing event in Shaanxi, as well as one of China's top ten iconic festival activities, fully embodies Ankang people’s aspiration to strive for the best. The thousand-year-old Festival has become an important platform for Ankang to publicize its achievements, further open up to the outside world, cooperate and establish meaningful relationships with the wider global community and showcase the city's new image in the new era.

Ankang’s Traditional Dragon Boat Racing

Ankang, located in the central region of Qinba, where Han River runs through from west to east, is the source of water for the Middle Route Section of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project. The Qinba and Han River has endowed Ankang with features reflecting both the grandeur of north China scenery and the elegance of south China scenery. It is referred to widely as the “Pearl of Qinba” and “Selenium Valley of China” for its mild weather, natural beauty and wonders and eco-tourism resources.

Ankang's unique traditional folk custom – the competition of grabbing ducks and catching carps

The line “the pioneers of the times ride the crest of the waves” perfectly captures both the historical and contemporary realities of Ankang. Historically, Meridian Road was connected to the Silk Road, and Hanshui (now the Han River) provided water transport services for merchants from around China. It was through the Silk Road that silk, tea and Chinese herbal medicines produced in Ankang were sold to other parts of the world. Ankang is actively seizing the opportunities provided by the new era to integrate itself into the “Belt and Road” initiative and promote the vigorous development of local society and economy in accordance with its long-standing pioneering and dauntless spirit. (Kevin)

The Scenery of Ankang’s Yinghu Lake

Ankang Ecological Tea Plantations

Ankang’s Sericulture Industry

Ankang Folk Custom - Fire Dragon Dance Shows

Ankang Cuisine