What is China’s Dragon Boat Festival About?
Dragon boats, sticky rice dumplings, and ancient legends — welcome to one of China’s most exciting and culturally rich holidays. Celebrated for over 2,000 years, Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔ Jié) takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month and is marked by vibrant traditions, thrilling races, and symbolic foods across the country.
The Legend Behind the Festival
The most popular origin story of the Dragon Boat Festival centers around Qu Yuan (屈原), a patriotic poet and official of the Chu state during the Warring States period. Deeply loyal to his homeland, Qu Yuan was exiled after speaking out against corruption. Heartbroken by his country’s downfall, he drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BCE.
Villagers who admired him raced out in boats to find his body. To keep fish and evil spirits away, they beat drums and threw balls of sticky rice into the river. These customs would later evolve into the festival we celebrate today.
Key Traditions
🏁 Dragon Boat Races
Now an international sport, dragon boat racing symbolizes the villagers’ frantic search for Qu Yuan. Long wooden boats carved and painted to resemble dragons are crewed by synchronized paddlers, while a drummer keeps the rhythm and morale high.
🧧 Hanging Mugwort & Calamus
Homes are traditionally decorated with aromatic herbs like mugwort and calamus to ward off insects and evil spirits during the hot, damp summer.
🧿 Talismans & Five-Colored Threads
Children are often given silk bracelets or pouches filled with fragrant herbs to wear for protection and good fortune.
What to Eat
🥮 Zongzi (粽子)
The festival’s most iconic treat. These glutinous rice dumplings are wrapped in bamboo leaves and come in sweet or savory varieties:
Northern China: Sweet fillings like red bean, jujube paste, and nuts.
Southern China: Savory options including pork belly, mushrooms, salted egg yolk, or chestnut.
In Shanghai, look for versions stuffed with red bean paste or fresh pork — both local favorites.
🍷 Realgar Wine (雄黄酒)
A traditional yellow rice wine infused with realgar (a mineral once believed to ward off evil). Though not commonly consumed today, it was historically used to protect children from disease and negative spirits.
🥢 Dagao (打糕)
Popular in northeastern China, dagao is a mugwort-flavored sticky rice cake pounded into a paste, then dipped in sugar or honey. Sweet, dense, and satisfying.
Where to Experience the Festival
While Dragon Boat Festival is a national holiday, some of the best places to soak in the action include:
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival: Victoria Harbor, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Guizhou Dragon Canoe Festival of the Miao Ethnic People: Qingshui River, Taijiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
Hangzhou Dragon Boat Festival: Xixi National Wetland Park, Tianmushan Road, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Plan Ahead
🗓 Next Festival Date: June 1, 2025
🎉 Best Tip: Arrive early to secure good spots for viewing the races, and don’t leave without trying at least one savory and one sweet zongzi.
From timeless tales to tasty treats, Dragon Boat Festival is one of China’s most meaningful and immersive cultural experiences.