Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
By Fang Jingyi
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival with a history of over 2000 years, celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
The most well-known legend behind the Festival is the story of Qu Yuan. As a patriotic poet and minister from the State of Chu during the Warring States period (475 BC–221 BC), Qu Yuan was exiled due to his opposition to corrupt rulers and, in despair, drowned himself in the Miluo River. Locals rowed boats to search for his body and threw rice dumplings into the river to keep fish and evil spirits away. These acts are believed to have inspired the traditions of dragon boat racing and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
Every year, multiple areas in Hangzhou host a series of dragon boat races during the festival. These thrilling competitions rival any other water sport and might just become your next favorite outdoor activity during the holiday break.
The 2025 Xixi International Dragon Boat Race will kick off at 9 am on May 31, with the course running from Shentankou to Qianjinyang Waterway at the Xixi Wetland National Park. As the largest and most influential dragon boat race in Hangzhou, the event not only showcases a wide variety of creatively designed dragon boats but also attracts numerous international participants. The sight of rowers paddling in unison to rhythmic chants captures the most exhilarating moment during this festival. In addition, the Luojiazhuang Community in Xihu district will host a Dragon Boat Culture Festival, featuring a grand dragon boat parade, a communal feast for guests, and a themed evening gala. A total of 52 dragon boats will participate either in performance or competition. Spectators can enjoy the competition via live-stream on LED screens on both sides of the river.
Besides dragon boat racing, eating zongzi is another most iconic traditions of the festival. These sticky rice dumplings are typically filled with ingredients such as red dates, sweet bean paste, salted egg yolk, or pork, which are wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.
Hanging bundles of mugwort and calamus on doors is also one of the traditions for this festival. These fragrant plants are believed to have the capability to repel insects and evil spirits, symbolizing protection and good fortune. Their sword-like shapes represent cutting through misfortune and safeguarding the home.