Shangri-La Group has unveiled Dragonbeat, a new Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Hong Kong that combines sport, culture, food and entertainment in a single waterfront event.
The inaugural programme took place at Stanley Main Beach alongside the Shangri-La Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships, bringing together thousands of athletes, spectators and visitors for a day-long celebration of one of Hong Kong’s most important traditional festivals.
The event reflects Shangri-La’s ambition to create a cultural platform that showcases Hong Kong’s heritage while appealing to international audiences.
Dragon Boat Racing Takes Centre Stage
The Shangri-La Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships attracted 185 teams and approximately 4,000 athletes, creating one of the largest sporting highlights of the Dragon Boat Festival season.
Competitors raced along Stanley’s waterfront as crowds gathered to watch the traditional sport, which has deep roots across Hong Kong and southern China.
The event officially began with traditional eye-dotting ceremonies attended by business leaders, government officials and special guests.
Eileen Gu Supports Festival As Ambassador
Olympic gold medallist and freestyle skiing champion :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} attended the event as Dragonbeat Ambassador.
Gu joined spectators at Stanley Main Beach to watch the races and celebrate the festival, highlighting the shared values of teamwork, determination and community found across different sporting disciplines.
Her participation added international visibility to the event while helping introduce dragon boat culture to a broader audience.
Food Fair Celebrates Hong Kong’s Culinary Scene
Beyond the races, visitors were able to explore the Shangri-La Taste of Hong Kong Food Fair, which brought together hotel culinary teams alongside a selection of local and international food and beverage brands.
The food festival showcased Hong Kong’s reputation as one of Asia’s leading culinary destinations, offering a wide range of local specialties and international cuisine.
The experience was designed to complement the sporting programme while highlighting the city’s diverse food culture.
Dragonbeat After Party Brings Modern Twist
As racing concluded, celebrations continued with the debut Dragonbeat After Party.
Set against the Stanley waterfront, the event combined live music, entertainment and a beachside atmosphere, introducing a contemporary approach to Dragon Boat Festival celebrations.
The after-party aimed to blend traditional culture with modern lifestyle experiences, reflecting Hong Kong’s position as a global city where heritage and innovation coexist.
Art And Fashion Collaborations Add Creative Dimension
The festival also featured collaborations with Hong Kong artist :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} and local lifestyle brand :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Lee designed the Dragonbeat visual identity and created artwork that was displayed across 12 dragon boats competing in the championships.
A limited-edition Dragonbeat merchandise collection, including apparel and accessories, was also launched to extend the festival experience beyond race day.
With its combination of sport, gastronomy, art and entertainment, Dragonbeat represents a new approach to celebrating Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival while promoting the city as a vibrant cultural and tourism destination.
