The first ever Nepal- Chinese Dragon Boat Race, a two day event has been scheduled on June 23 and June 24, in Pokhara's Fewataal, where the preparation of race has already begun.

Pokhara Metropolitan City will be organising the event through the direction of Nepal Tourism Board in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. The Nepal- China Dragon Boat Race Festival is going to be held under the co-organization of Pokhara Tourism and Chinese Overseas Association Pokhara.

Dragon Boat Race Festival is a 2000 years old Chinese festival, being organised in international platforms for boosting of shared cultural environment. Tourism professionals believe that the festival will also help in the promotion of Chinese tourism.

So, 8 beautifully and thematically designed Dragon Boats from China has already been transported to Pokhara inorder to practice beforehand of the race.

There will be a 500 and 1000 meter boat race between 8 teams consisting of 4 Chinese teams and 4 Nepalese teams. The organizers said that the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal and Mayors of three Chinese cities will also participate in the festival and the prizes will be arranged for the winning team.

The festival race would not only serve its audience with an entertaining race but they would also be able to taste varieties of Nepalese and Chinese cultural cuisines in food festival.

It has also been said that 260 Chinese people will come on a Chartered plane for the participants of the Nepal-China Dragon Boat Race Festival. Chairman Shrestha said 60 athletes will also come for the boat race. Two chartered planes are scheduled to arrive in Pokhara from China on June 21 for the first international flight at Pokhara International Airport.

Pokhara is the first city in South Asia to host the Dragon Boat Race Festival. This event is believed to attract thousands of tourists making tourism of Pokhara vibrant.