The 2026 Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race kicked off on Jinji Lake on June 20. A total of 85 teams of adults and juveniles participated.

The Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race is held in SIP annually to celebrate the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival which, reckoned on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, fell on June 19 this year.

It is worth mentioning that this year’s event was held as part of the 6th Yangtze River Delta Sports Season, which serves as a platform for mass sports exchanges, resource sharing, industrial integration and people-to-people connectivity across the YRD region.

       The event opened with lively lion and dragon dances, drawing large crowds to the lakeshore. As the competition started, dragon boats sprinted forward to the rhythmic beat of drums, with rowers paddling in unison toward the finish line amid enthusiastic cheers from spectators.

Beyond the races, the event featured other attractions, including drone football, interactive AR/VR experiences, creative cultural products, and an AI-themed art exhibition. At the lakefront markets, over 220 vendors offered amazing crafts, festive snacks, and trendy merchandise. Digital platforms offered special promotions, blending the traditional holiday celebration with modern consumer benefits.

June 20, 2026