This year Chinese Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 6th of June 2011, Monday, that's the 5th day of the 5th moon (Chinese lunar calendar). A significant holiday celebrated not only here in Hong Kong, also in China. The merrymaking continues with Hong Kong popular Dragon Boat Festival also known as "Tuen Ng Festival" is celebrated every year by a day races in narrow boats shaped like dragons. Competing teams row their boats in synchronize  with furious rhythm pounded by on board drummers.

This regatta commemorates the death of Qu Yuan who is said to have committed suicide by drowning himself in a river. Qu Yuan was a minister in the kingdom of Chu situated in present day Hunan and Hubei provinces during the Warring States period (475 - 221 BC). He was upright, loyal and highly esteemed for his wise counsel that had brought peace and prosperity to the kingdom. However, when dishonest and corrupt Prince vilified, Qu Yuan was discgraced and dismissed from the office. Realizing that the country was now in the hands of evil and corrupt official, Qu Yuan clasped a large stone and leaped into the Milo river on the fifth day of the fifth moon. Nearby fishermen rushed to save him but they failed and his body was never  recovered. Thereafter, the kingdom devlined and was eventually conquered.

According to one legend, the people of Chu mourning the death of Qu Yuan, threw rice into the river to feed his hungry ghost every year on the fifth day of the fifth moon. The practice continues this day throughout China. The Dragon Boat races symbolize the frantic attempts to rescue Qu Yuan.

 The real highlight of the festival  is the fierce Dragon Boats racing in a lively vibrant spectacle.  Teams race the elaborately dragon boats to the beats of the heavy drums. The special boats, which measure more than 10 metres, have ornately carved and painted "dragon" heads and tails, and each carries a crew of 20-22 paddlers.

 Modern Dragon Boat racing is the fastest growing team water sport and visitors gather in Hong Kong from across the globe to watch or paticipate in this exhilarating contest of skill.  Participants in Hong Kong now a days are from different companies, organiztions, universities, villages and more and more expat foreigners like to join the competition, they trained their employees in earnest for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with steermans at the back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finishing line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds. Winners were awarded medals, trophies and banners.

This video of Dragon Boat festival was celebrated last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6g4humXmNY