The 2011 China Dragon Boat Open Competition (the second Dongping National Dragon Boat Invitation Competition) will be held in Da`an Mountain waters on the south bank of Dongping Lake in Tai`an, Shandong province, according to a provincial news conference on August 19.

The dragon boat invitation race is co-hosted by the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Sports, the Chinese Dragon Boat Association and the Tai`an Municipal People`s Government. This year`s theme is: Gather in Tai`an to experience dragon boat cultures.

This year`s competition has attracted 12 teams. The events include the international men`s 200-meter and 500-meter 12-man boat races.

By Huang Shuangqiu (chinadaily.com.cn)