Hong Kong Boat Festival takes place at the Waterfront Market in Deira

Dragon boat enthusiasts made their way to the popular souq for a two-day event

Team members gather at designated tents during the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2022 at the Waterfront Market in Deira. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Waterfront Market team ready to race.

The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team.

The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team in action.

The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team, centre, race against Waterfront Market, DP World 2 and Cortex at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago in China.

The teams were divided into five race categories: open, mixed, women, corporate and community.

The Waterfront Market team celebrate at the finish point.

More than 60 teams took part in 200-metre-races during the two-day event.

Crowds were able to cheer on teams throughout the day from the market’s promenade.

DP World 2 in action at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

Participants and fans of dragon boat racing made their way to the Waterfront Market in Deira as it hosted the first Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at the weekend.

More than 60 teams took part in 200-metres-races during the two-day event where crowds were able to cheer on teams throughout the day from the market’s promenade. The teams were divided into five race categories: open, mixed, women, corporate and community.

The event is hosted by Siren Dragon Boat, which also have a number of other activities throughout the year.

Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago in China. Dragons, alongside the sun, are traditionally revered in Chinese culture and dragon boat races are meant to pay homage to these ancient beliefs.

The event was sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai.

The bustling market, one of Dubai’s most popular souqs, is home to hundreds of vendors. It opened in 2017, having taken over from Deira’s famed Fish Market. The new sprawling site is a covered market with air-conditioning.

As well as being one of the largest fish markets in the Gulf, with about 400 vendors selling their fresh catches every single day, the market is home to a fruit and vegetables market, a meat market, and a spice and dry food market.

Click below to see images from the Dragon Boat Festival in Abu Dhabi