DirectRooms.com - Dragons Sighted on the Waters of Xiamen on 3 June 2011

    PHUKET, THAILAND, April 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rather than the Loch Ness monster variety, the dragons are of course the dragon shaped boats that feature as part of China's annual Dragon Boat Festival. The event is held with particularly boisterous celebrations in Xiamen and teams will have gone through months of training in preparation for the race which takes place on 3rd June 2011.

Spectators can head down to the coastal area to watch and cheer on the man powered vessels which feature fierce dragon heads and tails. Each boat will consist of 20 members equipped with their own paddle to pull the boat along. The rate of the strokes is then determined by someone sitting at the front of the boat who controls the speed with each beat of the drum.

The festival's origins are believed to stem from the poet Qu Yuan who famously committed suicide back in 278 BC. Much loved by the people, attempts to save his life were made by the locals who paddled out to find him. Qu Yuan was unfortunately lost but this boating tradition has remained in place ever since.

The event is also a public holiday and thousands of visitors are expected at hotels Xiamen to watch the race goers and join the festivities.

Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com, commented: "The increased levels of visitors will cause almost all hotels to be fully booked so anyone needing a room will need to book online months ahead."

About DirectRooms

DirectRooms an independent discount hotel Reservations Company based in Asia. Established and online since 2000 with over 55,000 hotels worldwide.

For further information please contact Lek Boonlert:

Email: email us here
Tel: + 66 (0)76 241 145
Web: http://directrooms.com

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