Haohe River Dragon Boat Invitational Race takes place in Nantong on May 31. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The Haohe River Dragon Boat Invitational Race took place on May 31 in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival.

The competition includes a 22-person dragon boat 500-meter straight race in the open category and a 12-person dragon boat 500-meter straight race in the women's category.

Dragon boat racers try their best to achieve a good result. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Sixteen teams participated, 12 in the open category and four in the women's category. Among them are four international teams with participants from France, Germany, and other countries and regions.

After the open category dragon boat teams appeared, nine parent-child dragon boat teams, composed of 90 groups of parents and children, took to the water. United in purpose, they grasped a paddle together, cutting through the waves with determination and camaraderie.

Drummers cheer up their teammates during the dragon boat race. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

During this Dragon Boat Festival holiday, in addition to the dragon boat race, the organizers arranged a series of activities such as water performances, a thousand-person street dance competition, and promotional activities to entertain locals.