Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duan Yang Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival, is one of China's traditional festivals and is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month every year. The Dragon Boat Festival originated in ancient China. It is said that it was originally to commemorate Qu Yuan, and later gradually evolved into a festival to commemorate nature and worship ancestors. Today, the Dragon Boat Festival has become a festival with rich folk characteristics and colorful celebrations.

One of the most representative customs of the Dragon Boat Festival is eating zongzi. Zongzi is a traditional food made of glutinous rice and various fillings wrapped in zong leaves. The flavors of zongzi in different regions are also unique. On the Dragon Boat Festival, every household will make zongzi, and some places will hold zongzi competitions to see who makes the best and most creative zongzi. While eating zongzi, people will also exchange zongzi with each other, which means reunion and friendship.

In addition, there is also the custom of dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival. Dragon boat racing is one of the important activities of the Dragon Boat Festival and has been loved by people for hundreds of years. Legend has it that after Qu Yuan committed suicide by jumping into the Miluo River, local fishermen rowed boats to retrieve his body. In order to prevent fish and shrimp from eating Qu Yuan's body, they rowed dragon boats in the river and beat drums and gongs to drive away the evil spirit. Later, it gradually evolved into an activity to commemorate Qu Yuan. Dragon boat racing is not only a sport, but also a cultural heritage and spiritual symbol.