Foreign visitors joined the vibrant celebrations of the Duanwu Festival in Haining City in east China's Zhejiang Province, immersing themselves in traditional Chinese culture.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, falls on Friday this year. Its signature traditions include dragon boat races and the sharing of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
To build festive excitement ahead of the holiday, a unique dragon boat tug-of-war competition was held. Teams seated in dragon boats paddled vigorously in opposite directions, striving to drag their opponents across the finish line.
Many foreign visitors enthusiastically took part in the dragon boat races.
"My feeling, it was fun, and it's hard. It's a lot of work, but it's fun, very fun. Maybe next year we will be better," said Chiara, a visitor from Italy.
Meanwhile, other foreign guests tried their hand at making zongzi to gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese traditions.
"I feel like it's like such a traditional technique, and you cannot get it from the first time. But I think with practice I can do it. I wanted to learn more about Chinese culture, so I think this is like a great way to learn. And also everyone is so welcoming, [everyone] wants us to try new things. I'm so happy to be here," said Bekkali Kenza, a Moroccan visitor.
Foreign visitors enjoy traditional customs of Duanwu Festival
Foreign visitors enjoy traditional customs of Duanwu Festival
