The popularity of dragon boat racing is not limited to the Chinese. The sport's appeal crosses cultures to interest many expatriates living in China.

This year's dragon boat race in Hangzhou of east China's Zhejiang province included 12 foreign teams from organizations and companies in Shanghai, including Fuji Electric and Siemens Industrial Automation Ltd Shanghai.

Dressed in bright yellow T-shirts printed with the Chinese character long - or dragon - the expats were all amateurs, yet showed keen interest in the competition that requires not only strength and endurance, but also close cooperation among team members.

Amid the roar of gongs and drums, the 12 dragon boats raced off. Yet speed is not the only criteria. The rhythm of paddle strokes and the arch drawn by each oar enthralls thousands of cheering spectators lining the riverbank.

Nimble and swift, the boats followed a maze of streams and rivers in Xixi National Wetland Park in the western suburb of Hangzhou, where the expanse of green amid river networks offers visitors a close encounter with nature.

Susan, a member of Shanghai International Friends, an organization that shares a common interest in dragon boats, said she practices the sport every Sunday in Shanghai and was happy to take part in the Hangzhou competition.

"It also gives me an opportunity to get to different places and meet people. We really had a good time," she said.

Caroline Rowe, president of Oxford-Cambridge Society Shanghai, said the race offered both fun and perspective on Chinese culture, although she admits she does not know the full story behind the festival.

"We learned a lot about it recently, though - like zongzi (glutinous rice wrapped in leaves) and other traditional Chinese things. It's great for us to celebrate a traditional Chinese festival in this way."

"We want to have a way for our team to get together, both the Chinese and foreign members that went to Oxford and Cambridge, who are now living in Shanghai. It's exciting to get away from Shanghai and spend a weekend in Hangzhou. The city is really beautiful."

Locals, of course, find it equally entertaining. Huang Tingfang, a 35-year-old woman who before lived where the park is now, said she has been watching the race since she was a little girl. She now shares it with her 5-year-old daughter.

"She gets so excited at this time of the year," said Huang. "After all, today it's rare to see traditional celebrations like this. It's quite a spectacle."

Dating to Ming Dynasty

Dragon boat racing has been held in Hangzhou since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when it began as a tribute to the Dragon King of Chinese legend who controls the rain and seas. Plagued floods, Hangzhou people prayed to the legendary king to avert disaster.

Today the annual event is an important part of local folk culture. Visitors from around the country arrive to join the festival and also enjoy the beautiful scenery of a coastal city.

Located in the western suburbs of Hangzhou, Xixi National Wetland Park is well known for its ecology. It is the first national wetland park in China, as well as a repository of the ancient cultural heritage of the area.

Hangzhou is ready to offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life with trip back to the essence of nature.