U.K. Dragon Boat Association director experiences Guangzhou's 'Zhaojing' tradition

Drumbeats echoed across the water. Firecrackers sent smoke into the air. Along Liede Creek in Guangzhou on June 19, over 170 dragon boats darted between skyscrapers during the Dragon Boat Festival, sending spray flying as crowds cheered from the banks.

Among the spectators stood a distinguished guest from afar, Colin Smith, director of the British Dragon Boat Racing Association, who made a special trip to experience the centuries-old dragon boat traditions of Lingnan's water towns.

"I've come to see the culture here, see how things are done in China originally, and see what we can bring to the U.K. Chinese Dragon Boat Festival," Smith said.

Colin Smith, director of the British Dragon Boat Racing Association, interacts with dragon boat rowers in Liede village, Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, June 19, 2026. (People's Daily Online/Wu Yuyangyang)

Liede urban village upholds the centuries-old "Zhaojing" tradition, sending invitations to fellow villages across the Pearl River Delta ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival. On the day of the festival, dragon boats from various villages arrived with their invitations, gathering at Liede Creek for races and friendly exchanges.

According to a Liede village official, this year's event saw over 170 visiting boats, the highest number in recent years, as the bonds of water-town kinship continued to thrive.

The annual "CBD boat jam" returns to Liede Creek during the Dragon Boat Festival in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, June 19, 2026. (People's Daily Online/Han Yuxuan)

Though Smith was already familiar with dragon boat racing, the spectacular sight of over 170 boats racing through the urban canyons left him in awe. At the villagers' warm invitation, he stepped aboard a dragon boat, took up an oar, and experienced a short row firsthand.

In just a few minutes on the creek, he gained a deeper appreciation for the unique rhythm of dragon boat maneuvering, the rapid turns, the sudden stops, and the spirited energy of rowers shouting and pulling in unison.

"This is very different to dragon boat racing in the U.K. It's completely different," Smith said. "We mainly just do the sport aspect; the festival side, we definitely need to develop more."

The Liede "Jinlong" dragon boat race gets underway in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, June 19, 2026. (People's Daily Online/Han Yuxuan)

After the races, Liede village hosted its traditional "Dragon Boat Feast." This year, the feast featured over 700 tables and seated more than 7,000 people. Classic Cantonese dishes were served, including white-cut chicken and crispy roast pork, alongside a particularly eye-catching specialty: Longchuan Ding, a stir-fry of diced bell peppers, dried radish, green beans, pork and peanuts.

This dish, a staple at Zhaojing feasts, carries the auspicious meaning of "prosperity and new additions to the family," conveying the heartfelt wishes of Liede villagers to their guests and kin.

Smith sampled each dish. "Really good," he said.

Longchuan Ding, a signature dish at the Zhaojing feast, is served in Liede village, Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, June 19, 2026. (People's Daily Online/Wu Yuyangyang)

Amid the sizzle of the wok and the laughter of children, the vibrant atmosphere of Lingnan life filled the air.

"This is an incredibly precious memory," Smith said. "I witnessed the excitement of Zhaojing, experienced the thrill of racing, and tasted the flavors of Guangzhou. Today has been truly rewarding." He added that he hopes to bring this experience back to the U.K., inspiring more people to appreciate dragon boat culture and carrying forward the spirit of "rowing together in the same boat" across oceans and generations.