Tainan International Dragon Boat Race Kicks Off June 17; Mayor Huang Wei-che Blesses Boats
The 2026 Tainan City International Dragon Boat Championship will be held on the Tainan Canal from June 17 for five days. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che performed a traditional eye-dotting ceremony for the dragon boats at Anping Kai Tai Tianhou Temple on the 5th, praying for a safe and successful event. This year, 163 teams with 4,057 athletes will compete, including teams from Mexico and Ukraine. The opening day will feature a large-scale fire dance performance by the "About to Become True Fire Dance Troupe."
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- 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 11:38
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(Central News Agency reporter Zhang Rongxiang, Tainan, 5th) The 2026 Tainan City International Dragon Boat Championship will be held on the Tainan Canal from June 17 for five consecutive days. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che performed a traditional eye-dotting and blessing ceremony for the dragon boats at Anping Kai Tai Tianhou Temple today, praying for a safe and successful event.
Mayor Huang stated that the Tainan Dragon Boat Race combines traditional folk customs, urban culture, and tourism appeal, making it popular among citizens and tourists. This year, teams from Mexico and Ukraine are participating, making the Dragon Boat Festival event an important platform for city-to-city exchange.
The city government explained that before the annual Tainan International Dragon Boat Championship, the dragon boats are placed in the courtyard of Anping Kai Tai Tianhou Temple for blessing and eye-dotting. This symbolizes the awakening of the divine dragon and the granting of spiritual power, hoping that all athletes will finish safely and achieve good results.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Tainan Canal's navigation. During the dragon boat race period, the city government has planned various activities including a food market, agricultural and specialty products, cultural and creative product exhibitions, artistic performances, parent-child interactive activities, and technology-based fitness experiences. This allows tourists from across the country to enjoy the canal, watch the dragon boat races, taste local cuisine, and experience the charm of Tainan's Dragon Boat Festival.
This year's Tainan Dragon Boat Race is scheduled to have 163 teams and 4,057 athletes. On the opening day, June 17, the "About to Become True Fire Dance Troupe" will perform a large-scale fire dance show on the canal waters. The performance will blend the imagery of fire dragons and water dragons, integrating sportsmanship and Mazu cultural characteristics, showcasing the highlights of Tainan's Dragon Boat Festival activities. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150605
Mayor Huang stated that the Tainan Dragon Boat Race combines traditional folk customs, urban culture, and tourism appeal, making it popular among citizens and tourists. This year, teams from Mexico and Ukraine are participating, making the Dragon Boat Festival event an important platform for city-to-city exchange.
The city government explained that before the annual Tainan International Dragon Boat Championship, the dragon boats are placed in the courtyard of Anping Kai Tai Tianhou Temple for blessing and eye-dotting. This symbolizes the awakening of the divine dragon and the granting of spiritual power, hoping that all athletes will finish safely and achieve good results.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Tainan Canal's navigation. During the dragon boat race period, the city government has planned various activities including a food market, agricultural and specialty products, cultural and creative product exhibitions, artistic performances, parent-child interactive activities, and technology-based fitness experiences. This allows tourists from across the country to enjoy the canal, watch the dragon boat races, taste local cuisine, and experience the charm of Tainan's Dragon Boat Festival.
This year's Tainan Dragon Boat Race is scheduled to have 163 teams and 4,057 athletes. On the opening day, June 17, the "About to Become True Fire Dance Troupe" will perform a large-scale fire dance show on the canal waters. The performance will blend the imagery of fire dragons and water dragons, integrating sportsmanship and Mazu cultural characteristics, showcasing the highlights of Tainan's Dragon Boat Festival activities. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150605