Shangri-La Group (“Shangri-La” or the “Group”), title sponsor of the Shangri-La Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships, successfully presented its inaugural Dragon Boat Festival programme, Dragonbeat, yesterday at Stanley Main Beach. Blending sport, culture, gastronomy and entertainment, the programme featured the highly anticipated dragon boat races, the Shangri-La Taste of Hong Kong Food Fair, and the debut Dragonbeat After Party. Delivered through the Group’s signature Asian hospitality, the day offered a rich and multi-layered Dragon Boat Festival experience for the community and visitors alike.

To mark the occasion, Hui Kuok, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Shangri-La Group and Nee Chuan Teo, Chief Financial Officer of Shangri-La Group, together with Sandy Cheung JP, District Officer for Southern District, Alson Wong, Chairman of the Stanley Residents Association and Eileen Gu, Olympic skiing champion and Shangri-La Dragonbeat Ambassador, attended as officiating guests for the eye-dotting ceremony of the Shangri-La Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships and Dragonbeat activation ceremony, elevating the Dragon Boat Festival into a citywide celebration that combined cultural depth with an international outlook.

Hui Kuok, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Shangri-La Group, said:“Shangri-La’s enduring purpose has always been to serve as a bridge for cultural exchange. Hong Kong is a vibrant international city, and Stanley’s bay holds unique cultural memories. This sponsorship is not only about supporting a race—it’s about creating a cultural IP that belongs to Hong Kong. I hope everyone will not only enjoy the thrilling races but also experience Shangri-La’s Dragonbeat After Party and savour authentic local flavours, together feeling Hong Kong’s one-of-a-kind cultural charm. Let’s feel Hong Kong’s energy—let the world hear the heartbeat of Dragonbeat!”

On the day, the headline Shangri-La Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships brought together 185 teams and 4,000 athletes at Stanley Main Beach, bringing an adrenaline-charged competitive buzz to the Dragon Boat Festival. Eileen Gu, Olympic gold medallist and freestyle skier serving as the Shangri-La Dragonbeat Ambassador, also watched the races in person for the first time. She said: “This cross-disciplinary collaboration is especially meaningful to me. On the ski course, I’m constantly pushing my personal limits; on the dragon boat course, what I see is the power of teamwork. At their core, the spirit of sport is universal—we give it our all, break boundaries, and create miracles through belief. I’m also delighted to cheer on the paddlers with everyone here, and enjoy rice dumplings and local delicacies. I hope through Dragonbeat, more people can appreciate the depth of traditional Asian culture, experience a vibrant and colourful ways of celebrating the festival, and share the joy together—encouraging more people to connect with Hong Kong and dragon boat culture.”

Shangri-La Taste of Hong Kong Food Fair Showcases Local and International Flavours; Dragonbeat After Party Highlights the City’s Cosmopolitan Energy

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