Tianjin's Dragon Boat races thrill city at Mid-Autumn Festival

That evening, a totally different scene emerged. Changing from my normal outdoor gear for photography I was in more formal attire to join invited guests for a commanding view from the Astor pontoon across to the music and light pageantry accompanying that night's race events. Thankfully I still had my camera with me, being able to capture some dramatic shots of the Dragon Boats racing frantically across the increasingly turbulent waters churned up by boats being pushed determinedly towards the finishing line. As I eventually walked back across Baoding Bridge towards my hotel I looked across the river from this vantage point while thinking of what a great asset the Haihe has become for Tianjin today.