Dragon boat race

At the center of the festival are the dragon boat races. Competing teams drive their colorful dragon boats forward to the rhythm of beating drums. These exciting races were inspired by the villager's valiant attempts to rescue Chu Yuan from the Mi Lo River. This tradition has remained unbroken for centuries.

A dragon boat race is held to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, June 8, 2013.[Photo/IC]