As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, Tianhe is set to host the much-anticipated dragon boat extravaganza, featuring over 100 unique events. This lively celebration showcases the rich intangible cultural heritage of Tianhe, transforming the festival into a vibrant spectacle.

Tianhe district, a core area of Cantonese dragon boat culture, proudly preserves several intangible cultural heritage projects that reflect centuries of water-town traditions.

Every April in the Chinese calendar, villages in Tianhe district awaken their dragon boats with ceremonial fervor. On May 17, Liede village's dragon boat pond buzzed with activity as villagers revived 14 dragon boats, including the iconic Red Dragon and Five-Color Dragon. The scenic riverside near Zhujiang New Town attracted numerous onlookers.

On May 24, three historic "Dongpo" boats from Chebei village, including one with 158 years of history, were launched, marking a proud legacy.

Beyond the boat races, Tianhe has also brought its dragon boat culture closer to the public in recent years. Last year, the Dragon Boat Banquet in Liede village, which had been an annual local tradition, made its public debut and drew widespread acclaim.

Today, Tianhe's dragon boat festivities have evolved into a cultural phenomenon, propelling ancient traditions into the modern cultural spotlight.

Traditional dragon boat racing in Tianhe. [Photo/thnet.gov.cn]