Latest news with #DragonBoat
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Chinese travel more during Dragon Boat holiday but spending lags
[HONG KONG] Chinese people travelled more over the three-day Dragon Boat holiday this year, but spending remained below pre-pandemic levels, government data showed on Tuesday (Jun 3) – indicators that are closely watched as barometers of consumer confidence. Consumption in the world's second-largest economy has suffered amid sputtering growth and a prolonged property crisis, with uncertainty from the US-China trade war also weighing on consumer confidence. The latest data painted a mixed picture for China's consumer economy. Travellers took an estimated 119 million domestic journeys from Friday to Monday, up 5.7 per cent from the same holiday period last year, according to the Ministry for Tourism and Culture. Overall spending over the period rose to 42.73 billion yuan (S$7.7 billion), a year-on-year increase of 5.9 per cent, but the average amount spent per traveller was a little under 360 yuan, according to Reuters calculations, remaining stubbornly below 2019 levels of around 410 yuan per trip. The Dragon Boat Festival took place from May 31 to Jun 2 – and is celebrated throughout the country with local dragon boat races. Many people take the opportunity to have short holidays, crowding train stations and airports around the country. Cross-border journeys rose 2.7 per cent to 5.9 million, with 231,000 foreign nationals entering the country visa-free during the holiday, broadcaster CCTV said late on Monday. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up China has been expanding its visa policy, with citizens of 43 countries granted visa-free access, while visa-free transit for up to 240 hours in China is available for 54 countries. Rail lines saw the peak of return passenger flow on Jun 2, with authorities adding 1,279 trains to more than 11,000 passenger trains overall across the country, while road travel was up 3 per cent year on year, with 600 million car journeys recorded, mostly travelling short distances. Chinese also boosted spending on entertainment over the holiday, with cinema box office revenue reaching 460 million yuan, surpassing last year's 384 million yuan, according to data from online ticketing platform Maoyan. Tom Cruise's latest movie Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning topped charts, and generated 228 million yuan, half of the total revenue during the holiday period, which was seen as a positive indicator for the upcoming summer season. REUTERS
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Xinhua Silk Road: 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament concludes with record participation
BEIJING , June 1, 2025 /CNW/ -- The 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament wrapped up on May 25 in Putuo District of Shanghai , setting a new record for participation over the past decade. A total of 58 teams from various countries and regions took part in the vibrant competition. Hosted by the Shanghai Sports Federation and the district government, and organized by the Shanghai Dragon Boat Association, Putuo District Sports Bureau, and Oriental Sports Daily, the event attracted 1,078 athletes across five categories, including elite, university, open, high school, and public groups. This year's race expanded its international reach, attracting teams from the Netherlands , Belgium , Luxembourg , Malaysia , Australia , and Canada . Paddlers from the U.S., Germany , Spain , Switzerland , Hungary , Singapore , and South Africa also played key roles. Alongside the race, a themed market event offered residents a one-stop experience of culture, sports, and entertainment. As Putuo advances its push to develop an innovation belt along the Shanghai - Nanjing corridor, the event also served as a platform for regional cooperation. Dragon boat teams from seven cities including Nanjing , Wuxi, Changzhou , Suzhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang, and Taizhou participated, deepening intercity bonds through sports and cultural exchanges.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Xinhua Silk Road: 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament concludes with record participation
BEIJING, June 1, 2025 /CNW/ -- The 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament wrapped up on May 25 in Putuo District of Shanghai, setting a new record for participation over the past decade. A total of 58 teams from various countries and regions took part in the vibrant competition. Hosted by the Shanghai Sports Federation and the district government, and organized by the Shanghai Dragon Boat Association, Putuo District Sports Bureau, and Oriental Sports Daily, the event attracted 1,078 athletes across five categories, including elite, university, open, high school, and public groups. This year's race expanded its international reach, attracting teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada. Paddlers from the U.S., Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, Singapore, and South Africa also played key roles. Alongside the race, a themed market event offered residents a one-stop experience of culture, sports, and entertainment. As Putuo advances its push to develop an innovation belt along the Shanghai-Nanjing corridor, the event also served as a platform for regional cooperation. Dragon boat teams from seven cities including Nanjing, Wuxi, Changzhou, Suzhou, Nantong, Zhenjiang, and Taizhou participated, deepening intercity bonds through sports and cultural exchanges. Original link: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road View original content to download multimedia:
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Dragon boat racers cut through choppy waters
First place finish: Ng (right) is all smiles as he and his team reach the shore after winning a dragon boat race in Tanjung Bungah, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Wading through rough waters while keeping up their stamina was an arduous task, but one Dragon Boat team persevered, reaching the finishing line more than a minute ahead of the rest. Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with a memorable victory, Penang Municipal Park Rowing Club team captain Ng Wei Liang, 22, said rowing for 4km straight was something new for the team. 'We have participated in various competitions and events, but they are usually 200m or 500m sprints. 'This is our first time taking part in such a lengthy route and the waters were rough, especially around Pulau Tikus island. 'It was a difficult route and with the waves being choppy around the island, coupled with the strong winds, manoeuvring was difficult. 'I am surprised at our speed and happy that we managed to win,' he said, when met at the Penang Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah, Penang, yesterday. Ng, whose team raced under the club's banner, clocked in at 18.42mins, while the second-place Penang Titan, clocked in at 19.55mins. Coming in third was Dragon Venture at 22.22mins. Ng said that although the team participated in other Malaysian dragon boat races, this one was special as it was the first time they raced on the actual festival date. 'It is nice that we are racing with different Penang-based teams as well. 'This was a last-minute decision, so it took us a while to find rowers who were available. 'We only managed to have two weeks of training, but it worked out well,' he said. Ng said the team members were pleased with their stamina and coordination. 'I was doubtful we would be able to handle it, especially with limited time for practice, but we are happy that we managed to win,' he added. Penang Chinese Swimming Club president and event organising chairman Victor Tan said that while it was a competition, the celebration was more about bringing Penangites together to celebrate the festival. 'We want them to enjoy the festival on the actual date. 'We had the 300m sprint for the dragon boats as well as other rowing events, including stand-up paddling, canoeing and sculling. 'We had a dumpling-making demonstration as well,' he said. The Dumpling Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, it fell on May 31.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
2025 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
The Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are back. Taking place on June 7 and 8, the two-day event will feature a total of 19 races with over 190 teams from 12 different countries and regions. The races start from 8am on both days, and if you want to see the adrenaline-pumping action on the waters, be sure to head to areas stretching from the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade (outside the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong) to the Bruce Lee Statue located on the Avenue of Stars. Seating with shade will also be provided. Don't forget to grab yourself a cold one from the Beer Garden at the Urban Centenary Garden in TST East, where a dedicated zone will be screening live broadcasts of the races. There are four refreshing varieties available, and you can even get a draught beer on the house by redeeming a beer voucher at from the HKTB Visitor Centres at the Hong Kong International Airport, TST Star Ferry Pier, and Hong Kong West Kowloon Stations, or the beer voucher collection station on the East TST Promenade. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't miss out! To get everyone into the festive spirit, a Dragon Boat Food Lane will take over the Avenue of Stars from May 31 to June 8, featuring 10 food stalls offering bites like traditional rice dumplings, dragon boat-themed street snacks, and refreshing summer drinks. Ocean Park Hong Kong's adorable Panda Friends will also be making an appearance by the waterfront, along with a special pop-up store with a selection of panda-themed merchandise. Visitors who make purchases at the food lane stalls will also receive a complimentary panda-themed sticker pack containing two designs from a collection of 10 (available while stocks last).
