On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, it is the Dragon Boat Festival China travel deals. It is a traditional festival for Chinese people. On that day, people will eat Zong Zi, do dragon boat racing, and drink the Realgar wine. There are many legends regards its origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, and the most popular version is about Qu Yuan, a minister during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 B.C.)

Legend of the Dragon Boat Festival’s Origin:

Qu Yuan is an intelligent man served as a minister in Warring States Period. He was loved by the common people. He had different ideas from other officials on politics, so he earned more and more envy and anger of other officials. In the end, Qu Yuan was exiled for several years. On hearing that his country was defeated, he fell into despair and threw himself into the Miluo River.

As he was so loved by the people, on hearing this news, the local people took their boats trying to retrieve his corpse. They also threw Zong Zi into the river to feed fish so that they would not eat Qu Yuan’s body.

So, eating Zongzi and the dragon boat racing are two activities to commemorate the great man Qu Yuan.

The Traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival:

Starting from that time to this day, people commemorate Qu Yuan through Dragon Boat Races, eating zong zi, and several other activities, on the anniversary of his death: the fifth day of the fifth lunar month top 10 China tour packages.

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat races are the most exciting part of the festival, especially in Southern part of China. Generally speaking, the dragon boats are painted in bright colors, such as red, yellow, and green. It is normally from 50 to 100 feet in length, and the boat’s head is shaped like an open-mouthed dragon, and the boat’s end isshaped like a dragon’s scaly tail. Depending on the boat’s length, 60 rowers can row the boat. A drummer and a banner man will stand at the front of the boat. The competition is so cut-throat. Every boat wants to be the number one. The winner will get different prizes due to different places.

Eating Zong Zi

The most traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival is Zong Zi popular China tour package, which is a glutinous rice ball, with different fillings, wrapped in bamboo leaves. The fillings can be egg, beans, dates, fruits, sweet potato, walnuts, mushrooms, meat, or a combination of them. The steamed Zong Zi is very delicious!

Drinking Xiong Huang Wine

As the Dragon Boat Festival is at the beginning of summer, when diseases are likely to strike, people also drink realgar wine to fend off bad things. Adults may drink Xiong Huang Wine, and children carry fragrant silk pouches, all of which can prevent evil.

If you have a chance to come to China in lunar May, don’t miss the festivity on this traditional festival – the Dragon Boat Festival.

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