Song Yingwen ywennsong@hotmail.com IN the blink of an eye, the adrenaline-pumping dragon boat race is on the horizon! Who can resist witnessing a thunderous round of dragon boat race on the Dragon Boat Festival? An electrifying dragon boat race on the Xinzhou River took Futian District by storm last year. With over 100,000 people cheering live and around 1.6 million viewers online, it set the bar high. This year, get ready for a riveting ride because it’s back, with the ambition to be better than ever. Set to take place near Topchain Link on the Xinzhou River, the event is leveling up big time this year, blending traditional cultural heritage with elements of creativity, trendy experiences, and new media. Set to celebrate this traditional Chinese festival in a melting pot of diverse entertainment. What’s in store? Coming from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, 12 dragon boat teams, including 10 men’s teams and two women’s teams, will battle it out in four rounds of heart-pounding races. Brace yourself for the visually stunning spectacle of dragon boat racing and waterborne excitement. For those who want to experience more than being only a spectator, dive into the action with the special dragon boat experience segment where professional paddlers will guide you in getting hands-on with the art of paddling. Here they can expect to experience firsthand the charm of this traditional Chinese sport! Beyond the races After the intense competition, wind down with family and friends as you enjoy a showcase of artistic performances. From flash mobs to street dance, rap battles and more, the entertainment is as diverse as it gets. Explore 25 unique stalls featuring everything from traditional customs like herbal baths to modern twists like DIY bouquets, trendy Hanfu clothing, and more. Indulge in dragon boat-themed treats, colorful crafts, and interactive experiences galore. At the adjacent shopping malls like Xinzhou Topchain Link, Yangji Commercial Plaza, and Shixia Times Square, visitors can savor exclusive dragon boat race deals, relish delicious cuisines, and revel in the festive atmosphere post-races. Date: June 10 Booking: WeChat account “happyfutian” or “ftwtzx” Venue: Xinzhou River (near Topchain Link), Futian District (福田区新洲河，同创汇附近) Metro: Line 3 to Yitian Station (益田站), Exit D More dragon boat races IN addition to the dragon boat race on the Xinzhou River in Futian, more dragon boat races will take place in other districts, including a race on the sea in Dapeng New Area, to entertain visitors to this tradition Chinese festival. Here is a list of the events: Maozhou River, Guangming Date: June 1 Venue: Maozhou River, near Nanguanglyujing, Guangming District (光明区茅洲河，南光绿境附近) Metro: Line 6 to Heshuikou Station (合水口站), Exit B Guanlan River, Longhua Dates: June 1-3 Venue: Guanlan River (near Guanhu Century Plaza), Longhua District (龙华区观澜河，观湖世纪广场附近) Metro: Line 4 to Xikeng Station (茜坑站), Exit A Nan’ao, Dapeng New Area Dates: June 7-8 Venue: Yueliang Bay, Dapeng New Area (大鹏新区月亮湾) Buses: E11, M231, M232, M274, 833 Dasha River, Nanshan Date: June 10 Venue: Dashahe Ecological Corridor, Nanshan District (南山区大沙河生态长廊) Metro: Line 5 or 7 to Xili Station (西丽站), Exit D | 