Cities across China are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with a vibrant array of traditional cultural activities during the ongoing three-day holiday, from thrilling dragon boat races to traditional festive food making, highlighting the rich heritage of this ancient celebration.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival falls on May 31 this year.
In Beijing, homestays, scenic spots and parks have introduced new activities to enhance the festival experience for locals and tourists. In Miyun District, countryside homestays offer visitors an immersive Chinese cultural experience, where they can make traditional Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) in classic and ancient settings. The Gubei Water Town in the district also provides a range of family-friendly activities. Meanwhile, Fengtai District’s nighttime riverside promenade and kayak rides create a tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere for visitors.
At the festive fair in Yibin City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, visitors can savor local delicacies and participate in cultural activities that showcase traditional crafts like Miao embroidery and local folk painting, providing an opportunity to appreciate the region's cultural heritage.
"The place has a strong Chinese fashion vibe combined with a rich traditional cultural atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival," said visitor Li Wulin.
In Shijiazhuang City of north China's Hebei Province, students from the Hebei Academy of Fine Arts took part in exciting dragon boat races on the river to celebrate the Duanwu Festival, showing their energy and enthusiasm in honoring this traditional cultural event.
"Dragon boat racing during the Duanwu Festival is a vital part of Chinese tradition, embodying the national spirit of solidarity and the pursuit of excellence. As students, we are committed to preserving and promoting this tradition," said Qi Yuqing, a student at the academy.
In addition to dragon boat racing, the academy also hosted a display of intangible cultural heritage, blending traditional culture with modern art. This not only enriches campus life but also revitalizes traditional culture through the enthusiasm of youth.
In order to give visitors a more enjoyable experience during the festival, the Tiger Hill scenic area in Suzhou City of east China's Jiangsu Province offers visitors Chinese opera performances to appreciate the distinctive culture of southeastern China in a more engaging way.
"The vibe here is incredible. I feel so relaxed. Spending the day with my kids here makes it a perfect day," said Wang Chen, a visitor.
Since Duanwu is also a time for family reunions, a construction company in coastal city Qingdao, eastern China, held a special family day, allowing employees there who stayed on duty during the festival to spend quality time with their families, making Zongzi and enjoying other traditional cultural activities together.
"Participating in parent-child games strengthens the bond between parents and children while giving children a chance to learn about traditional culture, making the experience quite meaningful," said Wang Keguang, a staff member at the construction site.
Cities across China mark Dragon Boat Festival with races, traditions, festive flavors
