Scene from the 2025 Huangshi Paddleboard Invitational and Huangshi’s First Water Carnival.
Scene from the 2025 Huangshi Paddleboard Invitational and Huangshi’s First Water Carnival.
On October 5th, the 2025 Huangshi Paddleboard Invitational and Huangshi’s First Water Carnival took place at Weisu Bay on Cihu Lake in Huangshi. Following the successful hosting of the Asian Paddleboard Championships last year, these waters attracted over 500 paddleboard athletes from China and abroad to compete.
Around 9 a.m., on the rippling waters of Cihu Lake, with the start signal given, athletes put their full strength into rapidly swinging their paddles. One racing boat after another chased across the water, their wakes spreading across the broad surface.
Paddleboarding is primarily a stand-up water sport, encompassing various forms such as flatwater, surfing, racing, and paddleboard yoga. Previously, most domestic and international long-distance kayak competitions and paddleboard races were held on natural rivers flowing downstream, often in “wavy waters.” Last year, the Asian Paddleboard Championships held on Huangshi’s Cihu Lake marked the “first Asian Championships held on flat, waveless water.”
The 2025 Huangshi Paddleboard Invitational featured categories including Youth (U13), Youth (U18), Local, International Elite Open, Masters, and Kahuna, allowing over 500 participants to fully experience the charm and fun of water competition during the event.
Outside the competition area, Huangshi hosted its first Water Carnival, with spectacular water performances such as flyboarding, water ballet, and flip boats. Featured cultural, sports, and tourism exhibition booths showcasing specialties like Yangxin Tun Bird Soup, Yangxin cloth patchwork, and Daye embroidery were bustling with activity.
As a “City of a Hundred Lakes” along the Yangtze River, Huangshi is transforming its urban water systems into dynamic sports venues, converting sports “flow” into tourism “stay” and economic “growth.” In recent years, Huangshi has hosted numerous high-level professional water sports events in waters such as Yangxin Xian Island Lake, Daye Lake, and Daye Yinjia Lake.
Cihu Lake
Cihu Lake is a scenic reservoir located in Taoyuan, Taiwan, best known as the final resting place of former Republic of China President Chiang Kai-shek. It serves as the site of his temporary mausoleum and has become a memorial park featuring statues of Chiang relocated from across Taiwan. The area combines natural beauty with significant historical and political symbolism from Taiwan’s modern history.
Weisu Bay
I am unable to provide a summary for “Weisu Bay” as I cannot find any notable geographical, cultural, or historical references to a location by this name. It is possible the name may be misspelled, translated differently, or refer to a very localized or fictional place. If you have more context, such as the country or region, I would be happy to try again.
Yangxin Tun Bird Soup
“Yangxin Tun Bird Soup” is not a recognized cultural site or place, but rather a traditional dish. It is a specialty soup from the Yangxin Tun region of China, historically prepared by local hunters using wild birds. The dish reflects the area’s culinary heritage and utilization of local game.
Yangxin cloth patchwork
Yangxin cloth patchwork is a traditional Chinese folk craft originating from Yangxin County in Hubei Province, with a history spanning over 1,500 years. This art form involves stitching together small, irregular fabric scraps to create vibrant patterns, often depicting animals, flowers, and auspicious symbols. Historically, it was a practical way for rural women to reuse fabric scraps while expressing cultural beliefs and artistic creativity.
Daye embroidery
Daye embroidery is a traditional Chinese craft originating from Daye city in Hubei province, with a history spanning over 1,500 years. It is renowned for its intricate needlework and vibrant colors, often depicting natural motifs like flowers and birds. This art form flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties and remains a cherished cultural heritage representing local artistic traditions.
Yangxin Xian Island Lake
Yangxin Xian Island Lake is a scenic area located in Hubei Province, China, renowned for its picturesque landscape of lush islands dotting a vast freshwater lake. Historically, the lake was formed by the construction of a dam on the Fu River in the 1970s, creating a reservoir that later became a popular tourist destination. Today, it is celebrated for its natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural significance as part of the region’s ecological and tourism development.
Daye Lake
Daye Lake is a scenic freshwater lake located in Huangshi, Hubei Province, China. Historically, the area has been associated with ancient mining activities, as “Daye” translates to “Great Smelting,” reflecting its long history of copper and iron production dating back over a thousand years. Today, it is recognized for its natural beauty and serves as a popular recreational destination.
Daye Yinjia Lake
Daye Yinjia Lake is a scenic freshwater lake located in Daye City, Hubei Province, China. Historically, the area has been shaped by local mining activities and agricultural development over centuries. Today, it serves as an important ecological and recreational site for the region.