Rowing dragon boats began as a ceremony for supplicating the God of Water to prevent disaster and bring fortune and was later attached the custom of commemorating the poet-statesman Chu Yuan. With the melding of these traditions, dragon boat racing has today become the highlight of all the festivities held during Dragon Boat Festival.

Before a dragon boat may enter competition, it must first undergo a ceremony to "bring it to life." Local leaders officiate over the ceremony, held on the first day of the fifth lunar month, offering prayer to the Daffodil King and the eyes of the dragon are painted on the boat. On the fifth day of the month, the boats are carried to the shore amidst the clamor of gongs and drums and a ceremony is held involving incense, prayers, and the lighting of fireworks. Finally, after thorough inspection, the boats enter the water for the competition.

When the race begins, all one can see is the rowers of each team driving their boats forward in unison to the beat of drums. The winning team is the one that first grabs the flag at the end of the river course and the difference between victory and defeat may be only a few fractions of a second. The energy and excitement of the race attracts thousands of spectators, who watch from the river bank cheering on their favorite team.

Unlike so many other traditions that have declined with modernization, dragon boat racing has retained its vibrancy in modern society, becoming increasingly popular with each passing year both as a sport for physical training and as a favorite spectacle enjoyed by the whole family.