The fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar marks the Dragon Boat Festival. The highlight of this ancient celebration is, without a doubt, dragon boat racing. Here in Guangdong Province's Shunde, in the village of Longyan – which literally translates to "dragon's eye" – the sport is a very big deal. Every year, the local people hold a festive competition, carrying out centuries-old rituals. 

The dragon's head on each boat symbolizes good fortune, and the act of attaching the head to each boat is almost as ceremonious as the race itself. Before the competition, an elder has the honor of painting an eye on each dragon. The competitors then take a long route to the river, stopping by every shrine in the village to ask for blessings.

Drumming and firecrackers kick off the jovial celebration, and the racers take their positions in their boats and do a lap for good luck, with thousands of merry spectators cheering them on. The energy and excitement are meant to bring the dragons to life and give them strength to compete in the races. Though a competition in name, the atmosphere feels far more jubilant than combative, with vibrant decorative regalia draped on all the boats and wide smiles on all the faces.

How did this festival come about more than 2,000 years ago? While there are differing legends claiming to be the origin of this holiday, the most widely accepted story is that it commemorates the death of poet Qu Yuan, of the ancient state of Chu. When the king decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu Yuan was accused of opposing the move and was exiled. When the state of Qin captured the Chu capital 28 years later, in 278 B.C., Qu drowned himself in the river in despair. The local people, who greatly admired him, raced out in their boats to try and save him, but they never found his body – a sad tale, but today, a colorful carnival and an energetic celebration.