by sportswriter Sun Zhe
URUMQI, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- In a county on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the world's second-largest shifting sand desert, where annual rainfall averages just 47.7 millimeters, water is a precious resource.
But every summer, the sound of drums and splashing paddles fills a small pond in Yutian County, as dozens of villagers climb into dragon boats and race across the water.
Dragon boat racing, an ancient sport born on the rivers and lakes of southern China, has found an unexpected home in the arid landscapes of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Crews race long boats decorated like dragons, rowing in unison to a drummer's beat, with teamwork and coordination key to reaching the finish line.
For participants like Adiljan Abduegni, the sport opened a window to a world they had rarely seen.
"Most of us used to play football or basketball," the 25-year-old said. "Before we tried dragon boats, we didn't know how to row. Some people couldn't even swim."
Yutian is a typical desert county, far from China's major rivers and coasts. For generations, residents dreamed of water sports but had few opportunities. That began to change in 2022, when the county launched its first annual summer dragon boat race.
Yusupjan Erkin, an official with the local sports department, said nearly 20 townships soon formed teams to take part. Participants were not professional athletes but ordinary people from different walks of life, including taxi drivers, construction workers and, most commonly, farmers.
"At the beginning, people made the boats themselves," Yusupjan recalled. "It was a funny scene because the dragon boats were of different lengths and the paddles came in all kinds of shapes."
The competition was held on a small local fishpond, one of the few available venues. Limited space did not dampen enthusiasm as crowds gathered around the water, eager to watch the novel spectacle.
Races were far from professional. Many crews lacked rowing technique, some boats lost direction and others capsized, but laughter, not frustration, filled the pond.
"The purpose of holding the race was to bring happiness to villagers and let them experience the unique charm of the sport," Yusupjan said.
As interest grew, local authorities purchased standard dragon boats and paddles, and the sport gradually became more organized.
Last year, the county selected more than a dozen paddlers to compete in China's national Dragon Boat Super League in Miluo, a city in central China's Hunan Province, widely recognized as the birthplace of dragon boat culture and the place associated with ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan.
After a month of hard training, Adiljan and his teammates arrived in Hunan but quickly felt the gap with more experienced competitors.
"Adapting to the environment was one challenge, but the biggest issue was the equipment and experience," Yusupjan said. "Our team still used wooden paddles, while other teams used carbon fiber ones. They lent some to us."
Despite the challenges, dragon boat racing has continued to spread across Xinjiang.
In places without suitable waterways, organizers have introduced land-based races, where teams carry a simulated boat along roads. In northern Xinjiang, even frozen lakes have become places for winter dragon boat competitions.
At Sayram Lake, boats were fitted with blades underneath and brakes at the rear so teams could race safely on ice.
"We installed ice skates under the boats and added brakes at the back," said referee Huang Jin. "After crossing the finish line, teams can use the brakes to slow down."
The sport reached a new milestone in August, when dragon boat racing made its debut at the Xinjiang Ethnic Traditional Sports Games in Kashgar. Twelve teams from across the region took part, including Adiljan's squad.
"We came here aiming for the championship," he said. "But we finished only fourth in the 200-meter race on the first day. There are many strong dragon boat teams in Xinjiang."
For Adiljan, however, victory is not the only measure of success.
"The result is not the most important thing. What matters is feeling the charm of the sport," he said. "One person may paddle fast, but cannot go far alone. Only when everyone works together can we move faster and farther." ■
