On June 3, the 22nd China Ankang Han River Dragon Boat Festival kicked off along the beautiful Han River with sonorous bells ringing nine times.
Ankang is located in the Qinling-Daba Mountains Region. The locals' love of dragon boat racing dates back to ancient times. As a folk custom, dragon boat racing integrates worshiping, blessing, competition and fighting spirit. Since 2000, the Festival has been held in Ankang for 22 consecutive years. [Text by Li Bingrui & Zhang Yuchen]
The opening ceremony of the Dragon Boat Festival [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
Drumming and music created a festive atmosphere at the center of the stage. [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
Students reading a memorial poem at the opening ceremony [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The ritual of boat-offering [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The ritual of connecting of the boat parts [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
A total of 18 outstanding workers in Ankang dotted the eyes for dragon boats. [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
Dance performance at the opening ceremony [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The song-and-dance show "Happy Song of Threshing" (打谷欢歌) performed at the opening ceremony [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
Children performing martial arts at the opening ceremony [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
A photo taken during the performance of the newly-created Han Opera show "The Great Beauty of Ankang" (大美安康) [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The wave-braving dragon boat racers [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The dragon boats crossing the river. [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
The duck-grabbing and carp-catching competition [Photo by Zhang Yuchen]
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