1st Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Festival to thrill Pokhara on June 23-24

June 8, Kathmandu: In an exciting development aimed at fostering closer ties between Nepal and China, the inaugural Nepal-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race Festival is set to take place in the picturesque city of Pokhara.

This eagerly anticipated event, organized jointly by the Nepal Tourism Board, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, and Pokhara Metropolitan City, aims to attract Chinese tourists to Nepal while celebrating cultural exchange and strengthening people-to-people relations.

The festival, scheduled for June 23 and 24, will be held at Fewa Lake, where teams will compete in a thrilling dragon boat race. To ensure an authentic experience, eight specially designed boats have been brought all the way from China to grace the waters of Pokhara.

The competition will feature four teams from China and four teams representing Nepal, vying for victory in the adrenaline-pumping races spanning 500 and 1000 meters.

Notably, guests from China will come to see the festival, further emphasizing the significance of this cross-cultural celebration. Alongside the boat races, attendees will be treated to Nepali and Chinese cuisines. Adding to the excitement, a diverse range of Chinese cultural programs will captivate the audience and deepen their appreciation for the rich heritage of both nations.

A total of 260 participants, including 60 skilled athletes, will journey to Pokhara via charter plane, further underscoring the magnitude of this international event. With two chartered planes from China set to touch down at Pokhara International Airport, the festival promises to attract widespread attention and make a lasting impression.

The organizers have spared no effort to make this event a resounding success, with an estimated budget of Rs. 25 million dedicated to bringing this vibrant celebration to life.

The investment serves as a testament to the shared commitment of Nepal and China to strengthening their bonds through cultural exchange and tourism cooperation.