Water may be scarce in Yutian County, on the fringes of the vast Taklamakan Desert in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, but that has not stopped villagers from taking up one of China’s best-known water sports.
Every summer, the sound of drums and the splash of paddles fill a small local fishpond as villagers compete in dragon boat races, reports AP.
Traditionally associated with the rivers and lakes of southern China, the ancient sport has found an unusual setting in this dry inland area. Crews race in long, dragon-shaped boats, synchronising their strokes with the beat of a drum. Success depends not only on physical strength but also on teamwork and coordination.
For many participants in Yutian, however, getting into a dragon boat was an entirely new experience.
“Most of us used to play football or basketball,” said Adiljan Abduegni, a 25-year-old participant. “Before trying dragon boats, we didn’t know how to row. Some people couldn’t even swim.”
Located away from China’s major rivers and coastal areas, Yutian historically offered few opportunities for water sports. The situation began to change in 2022, when local authorities introduced the county’s first annual summer dragon boat race.
Nearly 20 townships subsequently formed teams, bringing together farmers, taxi drivers and construction workers.
In the early stages, villagers made their own boats and paddles, with the equipment often differing in shape and size from one another.
The competitions were held on a small fishpond, one of the few locations in the area suitable for such an event. While the races were initially far from professional, they quickly attracted both participants and spectators.
Growing interest eventually prompted local authorities to provide standard dragon boats and paddles, making the competitions more organised.
Last year, more than a dozen paddlers from Yutian travelled to Miluo in central China’s Hunan Province to participate in the national Dragon Boat Super League.
Although they had less experience and less advanced equipment than many of their rivals, the Yutian team gained valuable experience by competing against stronger and more seasoned crews.
The sport has since expanded to other parts of Xinjiang. Where suitable waterways are unavailable, organisers have staged land-based dragon boat events. In northern Xinjiang, meanwhile, frozen lakes have been used for winter races featuring specially modified boats equipped with blades and brakes.
Another milestone came in August, when dragon boat racing was included in the Xinjiang Ethnic Traditional Sports Games in Kashgar. Twelve teams from across the region participated in the event.
Adiljan’s team placed fourth in the 200-metre race. But for him, the final position was less important than the collective effort behind it.
“The result is not the most important thing,” he said. “One person may paddle fast, but cannot go far alone. Only when everyone works together can we move faster and farther.”
