The 2019 China Dragon Boat Tournament (Chengmai, Hainan) kicks off during the five-day Longshui Festival. [Photo by Su Xiaojie and Wang Jiazhuan/Hainan Daily]

The five-day Longshui Festival, which was held in several areas in Chengmai county, Hainan province on June 3, gained wide attention.

After years of development, it has become a brand cultural activity showcasing local folk culture, advancing the travel business, as well as promoting Chengmai's reputation and popularity.

As the dragon is a lucky symbol in China, Hainan residents believe that the mythical creature often comes down to earth on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival and that the water it swims in becomes healthy to human beings. The Chinese characters of Longshui refer to water blessed by a dragon, and people often shower themselves in the water around the festival, which is a characteristic Hainan custom.

This year's event introduced two competitions, namely the 2019 China Dragon Boat Tournament (Chengmai, Hainan) and the 2019 China Fushan Cup International Barista Championship.

The dragon boat tournament kicked off at the Nandu River China Dragon Boat Activity Base on June 3. It has arranged a Chengmai stop for eight consecutive years, supported by the Chinese Longzhou Association.

For the barista championship, 23 top contestants from countries such as Germany, Mexico, Canada, Columbia, Ecuador, Australia, Greece, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand vied for the highest-level award in the Chinese coffee industry.

A barista participates in the 2019 China Fushan Cup International Barista Championship in Hainan. [Photo by Wang Jiazhuan/Hainan Daily]

Chengmai seedless lychees are in hot demand during the Longshui Festival. [Photo by Yuan Chen/Hainan Daily]