On May 10, more than 100 villagers in Huanglaguan, Tongren, Guizhou held a traditional dragon boat launching ceremony, gearing up for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival races. This centuries-old tradition not only preserves Huanglaguan's deep history of border defense, but also revitalizes its thousand-year-old dragon boat culture.
Built in 1550 during the Ming Dynasty, Huanglaguan sits at the southernmost pass of China's Southern Great Wall. According to local elders, dragon boat racing here dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Historically a key border outpost, the races once fostered unity and prayers for safety. Today, this enduring custom remains a cultural cornerstone for Huanglaguan residents.