The Dragon Boat Festival The dragon boat festival,also called the duanwu festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday occurring on the fifth day of the lunar month. The festival is believed to have originated in ancient China. Today several explanations exist concerning its origin.

However,the most popular one relates to the suicide of Qu Yuan, an upright poet and statesman of the Warring States Period. He drowned himself in the Miluo River for his beloved was annexed by Qin.

where the local people paddled boats out first to retrieve his body and then to scare the fish away, which is said to be the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. Until today,as a celebration of the festival, the dragon boat racing is still held— a number of dragon- shaped boats row forward in cadence with a drumbeat competing to reach the finish. It’s quite a spectacle with colorful boats and thousands of audience cheering along the riversides.

besides, the festival is also marked by eating “Zongzi”, a pyramid- shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice and wrapped in reed leaves to add a special flavor.

Other customs are also observed, including hanging healthy herbs on the front door, drinking realgar wine for exorcism.

Thanks to its re-recognition as a public holiday In 2005, the Dragon Boat Festival has been enjoying more popularity and significance. Although the essence of the festival might differ from the past, it still offers the observers an opportunity to have a glimpse of the rich Chinese cultural heritage.