U.S. vlogger Marissa, who lives in Wuhan City of China's Hubei Province, has witnessed how traditional Chinese culture continues to thrive and resonate in contemporary life, while visiting a local celebration on the Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on Friday this year.
The Dragon Boat Festival is one of China's four major traditional festivals and the first Chinese festival to be inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Believed to have originated in commemoration of Qu Yuan, a poet in ancient China known for his patriotism, the festival has been celebrated for more than 2,000 years. As the holiday approaches, a festive spirit filled Hubei Province, the birthplace of Qu Yuan.
From the dragon boat races and delicious sticky rice dumplings to the vibrant riverside fair, Marissa explored the cultural meaning behind the festivities.
"Unlike many holidays that focus on family gatherings, the Dragon Boat Festival is full of energy, competition and centuries of history. The most famous tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival is, of course, dragon boat racing, where paddlers will race long narrow boats, decorated with colorful dragon heads, while a drummer keeps everyone rolling in sync," said the vlogger.
At first glance, it might just look like a sporting event, but dragon boat racing actually has roots going back more than 2,000 years. The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates Qu Yuan, a poet and government official who lived during China's Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
According to legend, after his kingdom fell, Qu Yuan threw himself into the river out of grief and loyalty to his country. Local villagers rushed out in boats to search for him, beating drums and splashing the water to scare away fish and evil spirits.
Over time, this tradition has evolved into the dragon boat races that we see today.
"Watching these races in person is truly incredible, the energy from the crowd, the sound of the drums and the teamwork that it takes to move the boats makes it one of the most exciting traditional events in China. Of course, no Chinese festival would be complete without special food. For the Dragon Boat Festival, that food is zongzi," said Marissa.
These sticky rice dumplings are wrapped in bamboo leaves and can be filled with all sorts of ingredients depending on where you are in China.
Some people prefer sweet fillings, like red bean paste or dates, while others enjoy savory versions with pork, salted egg yolk or mushrooms.
Reflecting on her experience, Marissa said, "The Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration that combines history, food, community and tradition. Whether it's racing dragon boats, sharing zongzi with family, or simply spending time together, these customs have been passed down for generations and remain an important part of Chinese culture still today. For me, the most memorable part was seeing how a story from more than 2,000 years ago can still bring so many people together."
US vlogger dives into Dragon Boat Festival traditions in Wuhan
