Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships

The Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships integrate international competition standards with the atmosphere of a city festival, forming the largest dragon boat event in Taiwan.
The race format follows international dragon boat competition standards and invites both domestic and international teams. Two categories are featured: large dragon boats with 20 paddlers per team, and small dragon boats with 12 paddlers per team. Multiple divisions—including men’s, women’s, mixed, senior, and high school groups—enable both professional competition and public participation.
Beyond the races, the event preserves traditional rituals. Each year before the competition, the “Eye-Dotting and River Blessing Ceremony” is held at Qu Yuan Temple in Zhoumei, Taipei. The Mayor of Taipei serves as the officiant, dotting the dragon boats’ eyes, followed by a ceremonial procession of Qu Yuan’s statue to Zhoumei Wharf. Teams then paddle along the Keelung River to Yingfeng Wharf to complete the launching ritual.
The integration of belief, festival, and sport transforms the event into not only a competition, but a continuation of cultural tradition.