The 2026 China Xizang "Our Festival: Dragon Boat Festival" Plateau Dragon Boat (Bullhide Boat) Race was held on June 19 in Lhasa, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, in celebration of Dragon Boat Festival.

At an altitude of over 3,645 meters, this dragon boat race is the highest-altitude of its kind in the world, with the 2025 edition certified by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) as the "World's Highest-Altitude Dragon Boat Race".

Ten dragon boat teams from across the country competed on the water this year, with locals and tourists gathering along the riverbanks to cheer for the athletes. In addition to the dragon boat race, the event also featured a bullhide boat race.

Xizang's traditional bullhide boats, crafted from yak hide stretched over willow frames, represent one of humanity's oldest surviving watercraft designs.

Dragon boats race across the water. [Photo/WeChat account: xizangfabu]

A race featuring Xizang's traditional bullhide boats is underway. [Photo/WeChat account: xizangfabu]

Water performances take center stage at the opening ceremony. [Photo/WeChat account: xizangfabu]