龙是苗族人民的图腾和吉祥物之一，在台江的很多大型传统节日里，都与龙有关。苗族独木龙舟节是居住在黔东南州清水江及支流巴拉河沿岸的苗族群众每年农历五月二十四至二十七举行的划龙舟活动。

For the Miao people, the dragon is more than just a symbol—it’s a sacred guardian. In Taijiang County, many of their traditional events are revolved around this this mythical creature. Among them, this festival is one of the most unique. It heldeach year from the 24th to the 27th day of the fifth lunar month, along the Qingshui River and its tributary, the Bala River, in southeastern Guizhou.

传说，一条恶龙曾吞噬苗家孩童，父亲持刀入洞复仇，烈火焚龙，却换来九天九夜的黑暗。直到孩童的嬉水声敲醒天地，龙魂托梦：“以木为身，以赛龙舟为祭，我便保佑你们风调雨顺。” 于是沿河的苗族群众便依照龙的模样制成龙舟，举办苗族独木龙舟节。

Legend has it that long ago, a fierce dragon began devouring Miao children. A grieving father ventured into the dragon’s lair and setting it ablaze. The dragon was defeated—but the world was cast into darkness for nine days and nights. Until the laughter of children playing in the water finally broke the silence. At That night, the dragon’s spirit appeared in a dream:“Carve my form from wood. Race it on the river. Honor me, and I will bless your people with peace and good fortune.”And from that moment, the festival was born.

节日期间，龙舟下水仪式、龙舟竞渡、接龙、踩鼓、民间文艺表演、吃“龙肉”等活动，规模盛大，气氛热烈。此外，独特造型的独木龙舟和桡手们统一的苗族服饰站立划桨的姿势，神秘且独特，享誉国内外。2008年6月，苗族独木龙舟节被列入第二批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。

Today, it’s a spectacular event filled with color, energy, and meaning. Highlights include ceremonial boat launches, thrilling dragon boat races, the “Welcoming the Dragon” ritual, drum dances, folk performances,and even the sharing of symbolic “dragon meat.”What makes it truly special are the single-log dragon boats themselves—long, narrow, and carved from entire tree trunks. Paddlers stand as they row, dressed in traditional Miao clothing, moving together in perfect rhythm. It’s a Breathtaking and unforgettable sight that draws visitors from across China and around the world. In 2008, the festival was officially recognized as the national intangible culture heritage of China.

举办苗族独木龙舟节也是清水江流域苗族同胞祝愿国家繁荣昌盛、国泰民安、风调雨顺，促进与各民族交流交往交融的重要载体。