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People across southern China's Guangdong province are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival on their traditional long dragon boats. There will be over 500 boat races in 21 cities across the province, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan in June and July. Zheng Songwu reports from Foshan's Diejiao. 

Rhythmic drumming, synchronized paddling, powerful chants and flawless cooperation… This is what I saw in the 500-year-old dragon boat races held in Foshan's Diejiao. Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, there are usually 18 local teams participating in the races. Each boat is roughly 25 meters long and carries about 30 people including paddlers, steersmen and a drummer. 

"So what makes this dragon boat drifting race so exciting to watch? The sharp turns the teams have to make at high speed. For those paddlers, one wrong move and they may lose control, and that's the thrill for the crowds, and the biggest test for the teams like these people."

The competitions take place across several courses. These range from L-shaped and S-shaped to C-shaped turns and each is about 500 to 600 meters long. But the narrowest turn is only about 3 meters in length. 

The boat race is a beloved piece of cultural heritage for locals and all people who cherish it. The motto of Diejiao dragon boats, "rather crash the boat than paddle slow", is encouraging more young people from other regions in the province to join the celebration, and attracting more tourists as well. 

As one of China's most important cultural heartlands for the Dragon Boat Festival, Guangdong has turned this ancient tradition into a celebration of unity, heritage, and competitive spirit.