40 dragon boat teams battle it out on the Thames

A fleet of dragon boats will take to London's docks this month for the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

A fleet of dragon boats will take to London's docks next month for the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. [File Photo: koolearn.com]

2017 marks the 22nd anniversary of the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival and 40 teams will battle it out on the water at London Regatta Centre in Victoria Docks for four separate trophies.

Don't fancy taking on the wrath of the dragons? A free festival runs throughout the day for anyone wanting to remain firmly on dry land, with a Hong Kong theme running throughout.

Traditional Chinese lion dancing will take place alongside martial art displays, and younger visitors will be kept busy by face painting and balloon modelling.

A food festival will be serving up all manner of Asian treats to keep everyone going throughout the festival, including goodies from China, Japan, Korea and India.

The event is organised by the London Chinatown Lions Club, with proceeds going to the organisation's charities.

Dragon boat festivals originated in ancient southern central China some 2,500 years ago along the banks of Yangtze River, around the same era the Olympic Games began in Greece. Today dragon boat racing is one of the most popular water sports both in China and internationally.

Twenty two years ago, London Chinatown Lions Club organised the first Dragon Boat Festival in London Docklands as a fundraiser for Chinese schools around the M25 area and over the years it has become a major part of London's cultural calendar.