After an absence of three years because of COVID-19, the waters of Aberdeen Harbour were again full of colorful dragon boats competing for the Golden Cup.

In addition to carrying on tradition and competing for awards, the contest also celebrated the National Day

 Once a festival for entertaining the fishermen of Aberdeen, Hong Kong, the dragon boat races are now intensely competitive.

The races in the area, which date back more than 100 years, pay homage to Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet beloved by fishermen who drowned in the Miluo River in northern Hunan province in about 278 BC.

Highlights of the festival include the flag ceremony where each long boat is handed their flag while other competitors splash them. The races consist of long boats with 48 paddlers and shorter boats with mixed crews. The top prize for the highly contested long boats went to Tong Hing Dragon this year.

In addition to carrying on tradition and competing for awards, the contest also celebrated the National Day.

Text and photos by DJ Clark of China Daily.

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Competitors in action during the races.

Rowers do their best in the waters of Aberdeen Harbour after an absence for three years because of COVID-19.

Spectators watch the racing on nearby cruise ships.

Participants splash water on fellow competitors during a ceremony following their race.

Each long boat is handed their flag during the flag ceremony while other competitors splash them.

Competitors go flat-out during the dragon boat race in Aberdeen.