Beijing, May 8 (Youth.cn) - On May 5, 2025, Pantang Village in Guangzhou’s Liwan District held its traditional "Awakening the Dragon" ceremony at Liwan Lake Park, where a 400-year-old dragon boat resurfaced to greet the public. After undergoing restoration and re-lacquering in 2024, the revered dragon boat reappeared to mark the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.

The "Awakening the Dragon" ritual involves retrieving a dragon boat buried in muddy waters, cleaning it thoroughly, and preparing it for festive celebrations. Before male villagers entered the water to begin the process, respected elders sprinkled them with water infused with pomelo and wampee leaves - a symbolic gesture to bless the ceremony and ensure its success. The villagers then worked together to excavate the boat, wash away the silt, and adorn it with ceremonial decorations. The "protruding-eye" dragon boat was fitted with traditional plaques, while the women’s team’s "phoenix boat" received its iconic dragon head and tail ornaments. Photo/CFP