Aside from the boat races, a handful of folk performances lion dances, and dragon dances were also held to entertain the spectators.

Dragon boat racing has a storied history that dates back more than 2,000 years. It traditionally takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and includes religious ceremonies to commemorate the life of Qu Yuan, a great official who lived during the Warring States period (475-221 BC).

Participants in the first Lujiazui Financial City Dragon Boat Race held on the Zhangjiabang River in Pudong, Shanghai, pose for a group photo on June 4. [Photo/WeChat account: lujiazuijrc]