The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the ancient Chinese poet and minister Qu Yuan. Disheartened by government corruption, Qu Yuan committed suicide by jumping into the Miluo River. Fishermen raced to save him, beating drums and throwing rice dumplings into the water to keep fish and evil spirits away.

In Chinese culture, the classic Dragon rides the clouds in the sky and commands the wind, mist and rain. A revered symbol of strength and power. In ancient China, the Dragon Boat with ornately carved dragon’s head and tail, was used for religious purposes as a way of appeasing the rain gods.

The Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta, which has traditionally been held at the Teluk Bahang Dam since the 1990s, will be moved to a new venue place at Straits Quay Marina.