To promote Chinese cultural heritage and enrich campus life, Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT) celebrated the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival under the theme “Radiant Heritage, Gleaming Lake Yan” on May 28th. The celebration seamlessly wove together age-old customs with youthful energy, offering a sensory-rich encounter with intangible cultural heritage. Dragon boat racing, vibrant fair, and breathtaking performances brought students, faculty, alumni, and guests a memorable experience of cultural feast.
Dragon Boat Races on the Dongfeng Canal: Paddling Forward with Unity and Strength
At 4:00 PM, the festivities officially began along the Dongfeng Canal. The opening ceremony was attended by Hu Bing, Deputy Party Secretary of CDUT; Guo Qiang, Standing Committee Member and Vice President; heads of the Publicity Department, Security Department, Youth League Committee, Quality Education Center, and Sports Institute; members of the dragon boat teams; and representatives from various colleges.
Opening Ceremony of the Dragon Boat Festival Cultural Event
The event opened with “Splendid Elegance: Hanfu & Traditional Instrumentals”, a performance by the university’s student clubs. The graceful display of Hanfu attire, accompanied by melodious Chinese instrumental music and poetic recitations, immersed the audience in the richness of traditional culture.
Splendid Elegance: Hanfu & Traditional Instrumentals
In his speech, Hu Bing remarked that the Dragon Boat Festival, a celebration steeped in history and meaning, is a vital part of Chinese tradition. This event, he said, is both a practical integration of culture into all-around education and a vivid expression of the “Five-Sphere Education” approach (the integration of moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education). He encouraged students to strengthen their willpower through dragon boat racing, showcasing the spirit of unity and perseverance; to appreciate the artistry of iron flower, embracing craftsmanship and innovation; and to engage in the fair activities, immersing themselves in cultural traditions while fostering a deep-seated love for country and science.
Opening Remarks by Hu Bing
Guo Qiang then presented the team flag to the dragon boat racers, followed by a speech from student representative Li Chaolong of the Sports Institute.
Guo Qiang Presenting the Team Flag to the Dragon Boat Racers
Speech by a Representative of the Dragon Boat Racers
With a blessing ritual involving a red cinnabar dot painted on the dragon’s eyes, the event officially began.
Official Launch of the Festival
As the beating of drums echoed across the canal, two dragon boats surged forward through the water. A thrilling demonstration by water jet performers heightened the excitement. With synchronized paddling and rhythmic drumbeats, the dragon boat teams raced down the canal while students and faculty lined the banks cheering them on. The powerful sounds of drums, paddles, and crowd cheers merged into a rousing anthem of determination.
Water-Jet Performer
Dragon Boat Race
Strolling Through the Cultural Fair: Immersive Encounters with Intangible Heritage
At 6:00 PM, Lake Yan North Road transformed into a living corridor of intangible cultural heritage. The Dragon Boat Festival Fair opened in full swing. Through an innovative “checkpoint + stamp collection” format, the event invited participants to explore tradition in interactive and engaging ways. In the handmade crafts section, students played a “Poetry Word Game,” using festival-related Chinese characters to craft impromptu verses. The cadence of classical poems echoed amidst laughter and creativity. At the “One Knot For Blessing” booth, students wove colorful cords into protective charms for the graduating Class of 2025, combining traditional customs with heartfelt mementos of their alma mater. At other booths, students and international visitors crafted fragrant sachets, practiced calligraphy, matched wits in chess games, took aim in traditional pitch-pot challenges, and folded miniature paper boats. Participants could earn stamps through each activity and exchange them for exquisite gifts. The atmosphere was warm, festive, and full of joy.
Dragon Boat Festival Cultural Fair
Cultural Fair Booths
“Guessing poems, crafting charms, tying wishes... It was education through fun, learning through play. This is what real cultural inheritance looks like!” exclaimed students and teachers alike. In the immersive blend of ritual and play, the essence of the Dragon Boat Festival came vividly to life on campus, infusing tradition with youthful energy.
Fire in the Sky, Heritage in the Heart: A Dazzling Night Show on Lake Yan
Opening of the Performance
As night fell, Lake Yan became the stage for breathtaking performances of intangible heritage arts. At 8:00 PM, a stunt show over the lake marked the beginning. Daring performers soared above water jets, fire pots in hand, drawing arcs of flame across the night sky. The fusion of modern technology with traditional spectacle lit up the lake.
Water-Jet Performer
Water-Jet Performer Holding Fire Pots
Roars of excitement followed as intangible heritage performers took the stage with a fire-breathing show. Blazing flames burst forth, earning wave after wave of thunderous applause and gasps of awe.
Fire-Breathing Performance
The grand finale came with the spectacular “Iron Flowers” performance. Under the guidance of intangible heritage masters, molten iron at 1600°C was flung into the air, bursting into showers of golden sparks. Reflected on the water, the fiery spectacle turned the lake into a magical realm where flame and water blended.
Iron Flower Making
Lake Yan Illuminated by Sparks of Iron Flowers
This mesmerizing night, a dialogue between past and present, brought new meaning to the Dragon Boat Festival. It bridged ancient craftsmanship with modern creativity, weaving a new tapestry of cultural celebration across the campus. As heritage met youth, millennia-old traditions found fresh life and set sail once again in the tides of the new era.
Rich and Festive Atmosphere of the Celebration
With a rich blend of competition, exhibition, performance, and creativity, this event allowed the students and faculty to truly appreciate the profound heritage of the Dragon Boat Festival. In the future, CDUT will continue to deliver high-quality cultural experiences and integrate traditional culture into campus life in an innovative way, enabling the time-honored heritage to shine ever brighter.
