Tourism Info Nepal

Second Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race to Be Held in Pokhara

Second Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race to Be Held in Pokhara

In a bid to promote tourism in Nepal, the second edition of the Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race is set to take place in Pokhara. The event is jointly organized by the Gandaki Province Government, Pokhara Metropolitan City, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and the Nepal Tourism Board. It is co-organized by the Nepal Dragon Boat Association, Pokhara Tourism Council, and the Pokhara Overseas Chinese Association.

The competition will be held on December 29 and 30, 2024 (Poush 14 and 15), featuring 20 teams, including 11 from Nepal, 8 from China, and 1 from Singapore.

Prizes and Event Highlights

The race will consist of 200-meter and 500-meter categories. Winners in both categories will receive $5,000 each, while the runner-ups will get $2,000, and third-place teams will be awarded $1,200. Additionally, the remaining 17 teams will each receive $500 as participation rewards.

The event will once again be hosted at the iconic Phewa Lake, which served as the venue for the first edition of the festival in 2023.

A Legacy of Dragon Boat Racing

The inaugural Dragon Boat Festival in Nepal was successfully organized in 2023 under the leadership of the Chinese government. Globally, China facilitates such events in 50 countries.

During a press meet, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy, Wang Xin, expressed hopes that the competition would strengthen ties between Nepalese and Chinese citizens while boosting Nepal’s tourism industry. He emphasized China’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s tourism promotion.

Similarly, the CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, Deepak Raj Joshi, highlighted that China is one of Nepal’s major tourist source markets. He noted that the Dragon Boat Race has added a new attraction to Pokhara’s tourism offerings.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Dragon Boat Festival, known as “Duanwu Jie” in Chinese, is one of China’s four major festivals. Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2009, it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

Traditionally, the festival lasts 3 to 7 days across various provinces in China, with the government declaring public holidays to mark the occasion. People of all ages enthusiastically participate in the celebrations, as the dragon is regarded as a symbol of positive energy in Chinese culture.

Growing Chinese Tourism in Nepal

China has been a significant contributor to Nepal’s tourism sector. In 2019, 169,534 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, and in 2023, the figure stood at 60,874. Between January and November 2024, Nepal welcomed 92,848 Chinese visitors, indicating a resurgence in tourism.

The Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race is poised to further strengthen cultural ties and enhance Nepal’s appeal as a global tourist destination.

Press + K to search