Zhenyuan's Dragon Boat Cultural Festival Draws Over 250,000 Visitors, Boosts Tourism Economy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Blending traditional charm with modern vitality, the recently held 41st Dragon Boat Cultural Festival has offered an unforgettable Dragon Boat Festival experience to visitors, as the event was packed with excitement and highlights.

The festival was held by the Bureau of Culture, Sports, Broadcast-TV, and Tourism of Zhenyuan County in Zhenyuan Ancient Town, Guizhou, in which Zhenyuan County has recorded more than 250,000 tourists and generated a total tourism revenue of 234 million Chinese yuan during the holiday. (100 Chinese yuan = RM58.92)

In thrilling races, 53 teams from places such as Hunan and Tongren have competed, with featured activities including ethnic parades and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) performances also held at the event.

Zhenyuan has a long history of dragon boat racing, in which the tradition was inscribed in the third batch of China's national ICH list in 2011. With the cultural foundation, Zhenyuan's dragon boat races have become a major attraction for tourists and a powerful cultural asset driving the local economy.

Focusing on the dragon boat races, Zhenyuan has developed a comprehensive tourism chain covering food, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment, according to a statement. 

By linking the Zhenyuan Ancient Town with nearby scenic areas such as Tiexi and Gaoguo River, it offers an immersive travel experience that blends dragon boat racing, natural landscapes, local culture, and unique accommodations.

The months of June to October are Zhenyuan's peak tourism season, as the Dragon Boat Cultural Festival has greatly boosted the local tourism economy, with hotels fully booked and the daily revenue of the catering industry increased by five to six times compared to normal days.

In addition, a series of cultural and tourism activities during the festival provided platforms for the sale of ICH products that have increased by nearly 40 per cent, with tourists purchasing Miao silver jewellery and Dong embroidery as souvenirs or gifts.

Leveraging the influence of the dragon boat races that the festival has become a signature symbol of the county, Zhenyuan continues to expand its tourism market and enrich its tourism offerings, driving its tourism industry toward higher quality and achieving a win-win for cultural preservation and economic growth.

-- BERNAMA