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As the Tuen Ng Festival approached, the sunny Chai Wan Public Cargo Working Area was replete with the salty breeze and a fragrant aroma carried by the sea. The deafening sounds of gongs, drums, chants and cheers rang through the air. In the harbour, a colourful array of dragon boats raced fiercely, each attempting to outpace the others, enthralling spectators along the waterfront.
The lively event was the annual Eastern District Dragon Boat Race cum Carnival held in Hong Kong’s Eastern District. On 2 June, attendees enjoyed thrilling dragon boat races, engaged with dragon boats at a themed exhibition and joined a festive carnival. This year, Link collaborated with nine district organisations and numerous community leaders to extend the festive spirit into different communities and foster connections with local residents. As part of this initiative, Link sponsored nearly 530 members of grassroots families from various districts across Hong Kong to participate in the “Dragon Boat Race One-Day Tour”.
As the rhythmic beats of gongs and drums echoed through the air, dragon boat teams raced at full speed, paddling in perfect synchrony and creating splashes across the harbour. Spectators gathered along the shore to enthusiastically support the teams, fully immersing themselves in the unique spectacle of the dragon boat race set in a vibrant atmosphere.
In addition to witnessing the exhilarating races and soaking up the festive ambiance, residents lined up to take photos with a 60-foot-long dragon boat on display, capturing memorable moments of the event. Children eagerly climbed aboard the dragon boat, imagining themselves as part of the rowing crew. Meanwhile, at the carnival, attendees played games at various stalls to win prizes and savoured traditional snacks, thoroughly enjoying the festivities.
Elaine Chik, an Eastern District Councillor and participant in the dragon boat races, extends her appreciation to Link for coordinating and sponsoring the cross-district day tour. She highlights how residents thoroughly enjoyed the activities and festivities. “Local tours like this have been organised in the past, but residents rarely attended major events in other districts. This activity encouraged more citizens to participate in community events and meet other members, thereby increasing community cohesion.”
“Grassroots families have limited means, and they may not always be able to travel across districts for leisure during holidays. This day tour helped them get out of their neighbourhoods, especially giving the elderly a chance to go outdoors, which benefits their physical and mental health. Seeing families of all ages enjoying themselves makes this event particularly meaningful,” she adds.
Following the dragon boat races in the Eastern District, participants were divided into groups to visit famous landmarks throughout Hong Kong. They toured the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, Wong Tai Sin Temple, the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, Stanley, and the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, bringing their day-long journey to a fulfilling close.
Mrs Cheng, from Tin Shui Wai, mentioned that she rarely visits the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island and typically spends holidays with her daughter in Tin Shui Wai or other parts of the New Territories West. This event marked their first time watching a dragon boat race up close and visiting the Alexander Grantham fireboat. The experience enriched their understanding of Hong Kong’s history and culture significantly. Mrs Cheng cherished this valuable opportunity for her daughter to broaden her horizons and learn about the cultures of different communities. She found the event deeply fulfilling, noting that everyone left thoroughly satisfied.
