I rode China's oldest dragon boat in Foshan's Nanhai

摘要：On May 27 and 28, the 593-year-old "Yanbu Old Dragon Boat" took part in the traditional "Worship Huaguang" and "Tour the Three Riv

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On May 27 and 28, the 593-year-old "Yanbu Old Dragon Boat" took part in the traditional "Worship Huaguang" and "Tour the Three Rivers" activities in Dali Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City.

Yanbu Old Dragon Boat.

Recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong, the traditional rituals of the Yanbu Old Dragon include a series of events such as awakening the dragon boat, worshipping Huaguang, touring the Three Rivers, visiting and welcoming the "sworn son", and sharing a dragon boat meal.

The Yanbu Old Dragon has a long history, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It is the oldest existing dragon boat in China, measuring 36.8 meters long and weighing around 4 tons. It's made from a special kind of wood called Merbau, which is incredibly durable. The dragon boat is stored in the riverbed, covered with mud, and can last for centuries without rotting. Every year before the Dragon Boat Festival, locals perform a "Waking the Dragon" ritual to bring the old dragon boat back to the surface.

Every year before the Dragon Boat Festival, locals perform a "Waking the Dragon" ritual to bring the old dragon boat back to life.

This ancient dragon boat carries a touching story. Back in the Ming Dynasty, the Yanbu Old Dragon met the Pantang Dragon Boat from Guangzhou during a race on the Pearl River. Instead of competing fiercely, they showed mutual respect and formed a symbolic bond — becoming "sworn father and sworn son." Ever since, they have visited each other during the Dragon Boat Festival. This tradition has lasted for centuries and remains a tale of friendship.

Yanbu Old Dragon Boat.

Mia and Marcel, teachers from South Africa working at CanAm Kindergarten in Dali, came to experience dragon boat riding and got a close-up look at the Yanbu Old Dragon parade.

Mia (left) and Marcel (right) ride a dragon boat.

This year, during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Yanbu Old Dragon will visit its "sworn son" in Pantang, Guangzhou. The next day, the people of Yanbu will host a grand "Dragon Reunion" to welcome the Pantang dragon boat. This celebration has become a cultural link between Foshan and Guangzhou.