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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 179 (from laksa092)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa179.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm","crawl_time":1776418406,"first_indexed_time":1499748443,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,chinahighlights!www,\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm s443","src_root_hash":"2290986613579731179","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Dragon Boat Festival 2026: How to Celebrate","meta_descriptions":["Chinese Dragon Boat Festival 2026 will fall on June 19. See the stories, food, and celebration activities on this festival in China."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which is in late May or June on the Gregorian calendar.\nIn 2026, Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 19 (Friday). China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21).\nDragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival.\nIn addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more\nfacts about the Dragon Boat Festival\nContent Preview\nWhy Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?\nHow Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?\nThe Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival\nNames of Dragon Boat Festival\nDragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health?\nWhy Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?\nMany believe that\nDragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of\nQu Yuan\n,\na famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry,\nwho eventually became a national hero\n.\nHowever, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan.\nIts earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'.\nDuring the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away.\nTherefore,\nDragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival\n. It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects.\nHow Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?\nDragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories.\nOne is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan.\nThe activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings.\nAnother category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy.\nThe activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine.\n1. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings\nZongzi (粽子zòngzi \/dzong-dzuh\/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body.\nIn the past,\nevery family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them\n. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers.\nZongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings.\nThey are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on\nZongzi\n.\n2. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races\nDragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival.\nIt is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan\n(343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River.\nThere is another explanation.\nIt is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God.\nThe wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a\nChinese dragon\n. The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year.\nThe most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on\nDragon Boat Racing\n.\n3. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus\nThe Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent.\nMugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects.\nOn the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases.\nIt is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family.\n4. Drinking Realgar Wine\nThere is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!'\nRealgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink\nconsisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide).\nIn ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.\nLearn more about\nDragon Boat Festival Food\n.\n5. Wearing Perfume Pouches\nBefore Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children.\nThey sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads.\nDuring Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament.\nThe perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on\nDragon Boat Festival Customs\n.\nThe Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival\nThere are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows:\nThe Death of Qu Yuan\nThe most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China.\nHe drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail.\nIn order to commemorate Qu Yuan,\nevery fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body.\nLearn more about\nthe History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival\n.\nThe Unlucky Fifth Month\nAnother possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion.\nSince ancient times,\nthe fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month\n. Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month.\nThe fifth day of the fifth month (\"double five\") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called \"Calamus Festival\" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié).\nNames of Dragon Boat Festival\nDragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called\nDuanwu Jie\nin Mandarin and\nTuen Ng\nin Cantonese, and is also known as\n'Dumpling Festival'\nand\n'Double Fifth Festival'\n.\n1. Dragon Boat Festival\nIt is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats.\nChinese people attach great cultural significance to\ndragons\n. The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons.\nZongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival.\n2. Duanwu Jie\nThe Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month'\nin the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'.\nAlso, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'.\n3. Double Fifth Festival\nDragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called \"Double Fifth Festival\" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See\nwhy it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month\n.\nDragon Boat Festival Greetings\nDid you know that\n\"Happy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting\n, even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.)\n\"Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting.\nClick to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival\n, and why.","attrs_markdown":"![facebook share](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=106213096602243&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\n[![China Highlights Logo](https:\/\/images.chinahighlights.com\/allpicture\/2025\/10\/a3a4095ed29345cbb391c5e122ca8b2c.jpg)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/)\n\n[CHINA TOURS]()\n\nTop China Tours\n\n[![2-Week China Natural Wonders Discovery](https:\/\/images.chinahighlights.com\/allpicture\/2015\/11\/493f64a2411a42ca99fc63d1_cut_216x180_241_1773417665.jpg)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/natural-wonders-discovery.htm)  [2-Week China Natural Wonders Discovery](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/natural-wonders-discovery.htm)\n\n[![2-Week China Essence and Panda 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China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21).**\n\nDragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival.\n\nIn addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more [facts about the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-fact.htm)\n\n## Content Preview\n- [Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#important)\n- [How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#traditions)\n- [The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#origins)\n- [Names of Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#names)\n- [Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#greetings)\n## Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?\nMany believe that **Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of [Qu Yuan](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-quyuan.htm),** a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, **who eventually became a national hero**.\n\nHowever, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. **Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'.** During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away.\n\nTherefore, **Dragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival**. It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects.\n\n![Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n## How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?\nDragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories. **One is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan.** The activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings.\n\n**Another category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy.** The activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine.\n\n### 1\\. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings\n![dragon boat festival celebration, eating sticky rice dumplings](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nZongzi (粽子zòngzi \/dzong-dzuh\/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body.\n\nIn the past, **every family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them**. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers.\n\n**Zongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings.** They are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on [Zongzi](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-zongzi.htm).\n\n### 2\\. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races\n![dragon boat festival celebration, dragon boat race](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nDragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. **It is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan** (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River.\n\n**There is another explanation.** It is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God.\n\nThe wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a [Chinese dragon](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year.\n\nThe most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on [Dragon Boat Racing](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-racing.htm).\n\n### 3\\. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus\n![dragon boat festival celebration](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n**The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent.** Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects.\n\nOn the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. **It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family.**\n\n### 4\\. Drinking Realgar Wine\n![dragon boat festival celebration,](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nThere is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' **Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink** consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide).\n\nIn ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.\n\nLearn more about [Dragon Boat Festival Food](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-food.htm).\n\n### 5\\. Wearing Perfume Pouches\n![dragon boat festival celebration,](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n**Before Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children.** They sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads.\n\n**During Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament.** The perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on [Dragon Boat Festival Customs](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-custom.htm).\n\n## The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival\nThere are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows:\n\n![Why Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n### The Death of Qu Yuan\n**The most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China.** He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail.\n\nIn order to commemorate Qu Yuan, **every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body.** Learn more about [the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-history.htm).\n\n### The Unlucky Fifth Month\nAnother possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion.\n\nSince ancient times, **the fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month**. Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month.\n\nThe fifth day of the fifth month (\"double five\") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called \"Calamus Festival\" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié).\n\n## Names of Dragon Boat Festival\nDragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called **Duanwu Jie** in Mandarin and **Tuen Ng** in Cantonese, and is also known as **'Dumpling Festival'** and **'Double Fifth Festival'**.\n\n### 1\\. Dragon Boat Festival\n**It is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats.** Chinese people attach great cultural significance to [dragons](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons.\n\nZongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival.\n\n### 2\\. Duanwu Jie\n**The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month'** in the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'.\n\nAlso, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'.\n\n### 3\\. Double Fifth Festival\nDragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called \"Double Fifth Festival\" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See [why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-date.htm).\n\n## Dragon Boat Festival Greetings\n![Chinese Dragon Boat Festival greeting](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nDid you know that **\"Happy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting**, even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.)\n\n**\"Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting.** [Click to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-greeting.htm), and why.\n\n[Start  Your  Journey](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/forms\/create-my-trip.htm)\n\n### Why China Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)\n- Save Your Time:\n- Less research, more enjoyment\\!\n- Real-time 1V1 expert planning\n- Maximize Your Flexibility:\n- Personal local guide and ride\n- Explore at your own pace\n- Live Your China Story:\n- Authentic local culture and lifestyles\n- Understand the culture by living it\n\nPopular tours\n\n- [14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/natural-wonders-discovery.htm)\n- [2-Week China Essence and Panda Tour](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/china-essence-panda-tour.htm)\n- [21-Day Classic Chinese History and Natural Wonders Tour](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/china-landmarks.htm)\n- [21-Day China Tour with Silk Road](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/classic-china-with-silk-road.htm)\n- [18-Day Classic China Tour with Yunnan](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/china-tours\/classic-china-tour-with-yunnan.htm)\n\nMake the most of your time\n\n- [10 Most Beautiful Places in China for First-Time Travelers](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/most-beautiful-places.htm)\n- [Best Time to Visit China: Avoid the Crowds (Travel Calendar)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/china-best-times.htm)\n- [Plan Your First Trip to China 2026: 10 Things to Know](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/plan-first-trip.htm)\n- [How to Plan a 3-Week Itinerary in China: Top 3 Options (2026)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/3-weeks-china-itinerary.htm)\n\nChoose the best time to visit\n\n- [China Weather in January 2026: A Good Time to Visit?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/january.htm)\n- [China Weather in January 2026: A Good Time to Visit?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/january.htm)\n- [Weather in China in March & Top Places for Cherry Blossom 2026](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/march.htm)\n- [China Weather in April 2026: Where to Go (Smart Pre-Season Pick)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/april.htm)\n- [China Weather in May & Top Places to Visit in 2026](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/may.htm)\n- [Weather in China in June: Is It a Good Time to Visit?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/june.htm)\n- [Weather in China in July 2026: Where to Avoid Heat and Crowds](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/july.htm)\n- [Weather in China in August & Top 5 Places to Visit (2026)](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/august.htm)\n- [Weather in China in September: Best Places for Autumn Leaves](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/september.htm)\n- [China Weather in October 2026: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/october.htm)\n- [China Weather in November 2026 & Top 5 Places to Go](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/november.htm)\n- [China Weather in December 2026: Top 7 Places to Go](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/weather\/december.htm)\n\n## A Global Network of Trust and Recognition\n![social medias logos](https:\/\/images.chinahighlights.com\/allpicture\/2025\/10\/fe258d8e77764080bf0d0f303c4211b6.jpg)\n\nConnect with your personal advisor  \n to start your journey. 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All rights reserved.","attrs_readable_markdown":"Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which is in late May or June on the Gregorian calendar. **In 2026, Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 19 (Friday). China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21).**\n\nDragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival.\n\nIn addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more [facts about the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-fact.htm)\n\n## Content Preview\n- [Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#important)\n- [How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#traditions)\n- [The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#origins)\n- [Names of Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#names)\n- [Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health?](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival.htm#greetings)\n## Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?\nMany believe that **Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of [Qu Yuan](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-quyuan.htm),** a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, **who eventually became a national hero**.\n\nHowever, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. **Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'.** During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away.\n\nTherefore, **Dragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival**. It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects.\n\n![Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n## How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?\nDragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories. **One is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan.** The activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings.\n\n**Another category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy.** The activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine.\n\n### 1\\. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings\n![dragon boat festival celebration, eating sticky rice dumplings](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nZongzi (粽子zòngzi \/dzong-dzuh\/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body.\n\nIn the past, **every family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them**. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers.\n\n**Zongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings.** They are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on [Zongzi](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-zongzi.htm).\n\n### 2\\. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races\n![dragon boat festival celebration, dragon boat race](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nDragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. **It is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan** (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River.\n\n**There is another explanation.** It is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God.\n\nThe wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a [Chinese dragon](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year.\n\nThe most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on [Dragon Boat Racing](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-racing.htm).\n\n### 3\\. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus\n![dragon boat festival celebration](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n**The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent.** Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects.\n\nOn the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. **It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family.**\n\n### 4\\. Drinking Realgar Wine\n![dragon boat festival celebration,](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nThere is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' **Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink** consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide).\n\nIn ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.\n\nLearn more about [Dragon Boat Festival Food](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-food.htm).\n\n### 5\\. Wearing Perfume Pouches\n![dragon boat festival celebration,](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n**Before Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children.** They sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads.\n\n**During Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament.** The perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on [Dragon Boat Festival Customs](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-custom.htm).\n\n## The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival\nThere are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows:\n\n![Why Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\n### The Death of Qu Yuan\n**The most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China.** He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail.\n\nIn order to commemorate Qu Yuan, **every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body.** Learn more about [the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-history.htm).\n\n### The Unlucky Fifth Month\nAnother possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion.\n\nSince ancient times, **the fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month**. Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month.\n\nThe fifth day of the fifth month (\"double five\") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called \"Calamus Festival\" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié).\n\n## Names of Dragon Boat Festival\nDragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called **Duanwu Jie** in Mandarin and **Tuen Ng** in Cantonese, and is also known as **'Dumpling Festival'** and **'Double Fifth Festival'**.\n\n### 1\\. Dragon Boat Festival\n**It is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats.** Chinese people attach great cultural significance to [dragons](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/travelguide\/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons.\n\nZongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival.\n\n### 2\\. Duanwu Jie\n**The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month'** in the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'.\n\nAlso, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'.\n\n### 3\\. Double Fifth Festival\nDragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called \"Double Fifth Festival\" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See [why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-date.htm).\n\n## Dragon Boat Festival Greetings\n![Chinese Dragon Boat Festival greeting](https:\/\/data.chinahighlights.com\/grey.gif)\n\nDid you know that **\"Happy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting**, even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.)\n\n**\"Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival\" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting.** [Click to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival](https:\/\/www.chinahighlights.com\/festivals\/dragon-boat-festival-greeting.htm), and why.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which is in late May or June on the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 19 (Friday). China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21). Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more facts about the Dragon Boat Festival Content Preview Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival Names of Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health? Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan , a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, who eventually became a national hero . However, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'. During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away. Therefore, Dragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival . It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects. How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? Dragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories. One is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan. The activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings. Another category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy. The activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine. 1. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings Zongzi (粽子zòngzi /dzong-dzuh/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body. In the past, every family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them . Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers. Zongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings. They are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on Zongzi . 2. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races Dragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River. There is another explanation. It is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God. The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a Chinese dragon . The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year. The most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on Dragon Boat Racing . 3. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent. Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects. On the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family. 4. Drinking Realgar Wine There is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide). In ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival. Learn more about Dragon Boat Festival Food . 5. Wearing Perfume Pouches Before Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children. They sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads. During Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament. The perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on Dragon Boat Festival Customs . The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows: The Death of Qu Yuan The most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China. He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail. In order to commemorate Qu Yuan, every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body. Learn more about the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival . The Unlucky Fifth Month Another possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion. Since ancient times, the fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month . Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month. The fifth day of the fifth month ("double five") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called "Calamus Festival" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié). Names of Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called Duanwu Jie in Mandarin and Tuen Ng in Cantonese, and is also known as 'Dumpling Festival' and 'Double Fifth Festival' . 1. Dragon Boat Festival It is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats. Chinese people attach great cultural significance to dragons . The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons. Zongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival. 2. Duanwu Jie The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month' in the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'. Also, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'. 3. Double Fifth Festival Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called "Double Fifth Festival" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month . Dragon Boat Festival Greetings Did you know that "Happy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting , even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.) "Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting. Click to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival , and why.
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In 2026, Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 19 (Friday). China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21). Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more [facts about the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-fact.htm) ## Content Preview - [Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#important) - [How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#traditions) - [The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#origins) - [Names of Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#names) - [Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#greetings) ## Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of [Qu Yuan](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-quyuan.htm), a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, who eventually became a national hero. However, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'. During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away. Therefore, Dragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival. It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects. ![Dragon Boat Festival](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) ## How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? Dragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories. One is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan. The activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings. Another category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy. The activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine. ### 1\. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings ![dragon boat festival celebration, eating sticky rice dumplings](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Zongzi (粽子zòngzi /dzong-dzuh/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body. In the past, every family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers. Zongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings. They are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on [Zongzi](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-zongzi.htm). ### 2\. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races ![dragon boat festival celebration, dragon boat race](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Dragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River. There is another explanation. It is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God. The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a [Chinese dragon](https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year. The most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on [Dragon Boat Racing](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-racing.htm). ### 3\. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus ![dragon boat festival celebration](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent. Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects. On the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family. ### 4\. Drinking Realgar Wine ![dragon boat festival celebration,](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) There is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide). In ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival. Learn more about [Dragon Boat Festival Food](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-food.htm). ### 5\. Wearing Perfume Pouches ![dragon boat festival celebration,](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Before Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children. They sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads. During Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament. The perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on [Dragon Boat Festival Customs](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-custom.htm). ## The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows: ![Why Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) ### The Death of Qu Yuan The most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China. He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail. In order to commemorate Qu Yuan, every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body. Learn more about [the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-history.htm). ### The Unlucky Fifth Month Another possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion. Since ancient times, the fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month. Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month. The fifth day of the fifth month ("double five") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called "Calamus Festival" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié). ## Names of Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called Duanwu Jie in Mandarin and Tuen Ng in Cantonese, and is also known as 'Dumpling Festival' and 'Double Fifth Festival'. ### 1\. Dragon Boat Festival It is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats. Chinese people attach great cultural significance to [dragons](https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons. Zongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival. ### 2\. Duanwu Jie The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month' in the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'. Also, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'. ### 3\. Double Fifth Festival Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called "Double Fifth Festival" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See [why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-date.htm). ## Dragon Boat Festival Greetings ![Chinese Dragon Boat Festival greeting](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Did you know that "Happy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting, even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.) "Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting. [Click to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-greeting.htm), and why. 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Readable Markdown	Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which is in late May or June on the Gregorian calendar. In 2026, Dragon Boat Festival falls on June 19 (Friday). China will have 3 days of public holiday from Friday (June 19) to Sunday (June 21). Dragon Boat Festival is one of the four top traditional Chinese festivals, along with the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition to Chinese mainland, many other Asian countries and regions also celebrate this festival. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Taiwan, China, it is known as Bak Chang Festival ('Dumpling Festival'). Learn more [facts about the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-fact.htm) ## Content Preview - [Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#important) - [How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#traditions) - [The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#origins) - [Names of Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#names) - [Dragon Boat Festival Greetings: Happy or Health?](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival.htm#greetings) ## Why Is Dragon Boat Festival So Important? Many believe that Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated to commemorate the death of [Qu Yuan](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-quyuan.htm), a famous Chinese poet, and minister known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry, who eventually became a national hero. However, it is evidenced that the Dragon Boat Festival actually came before the death of Qu Yuan. Its earliest origin is related to the fifth lunar month which was known to ancients as the 'month of poison'. During the early hot days of summer, people would easily fall ill and epidemics spread. This made the month seem evil, so people in ancient times regarded it as an important time to prevent diseases and keep evil spirits away. Therefore, Dragon Boat Festival was originally regarded as a traditional medical and health festival. It is traditionally a festival for people to (ceremonially) come against diseases and poisonous insects. ![Dragon Boat Festival](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) ## How Do People Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? Dragon Boat Festival customs can be roughly divided into two categories. One is to worship the god of dragon and heroes, such as Qu Yuan. The activities include dragon boat races and eating glutinous rice dumplings. Another category aims to fend off evils and keep people healthy. The activities include bathing in herbal concoctions, hanging wormwood and calamus, and drinking realgar wine. ### 1\. Eating Sticky Rice Dumplings ![dragon boat festival celebration, eating sticky rice dumplings](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Zongzi (粽子zòngzi /dzong-dzuh/) are the most traditional Dragon Boat Festival food. Related to Qu Yuan commemoration, the legend says that lumps of rice (not unlike zongzi) were thrown into the river to stop fish eating his drowned body. In the past, every family would make sticky rice dumplings and pass them out as gifts, receive them, and eat them. Today only a few of the more traditional older family members will bother to cook their own, while the majority are purchased from restaurants and bakers. Zongzi are made of glutinous rice filled with meats, beans, and other fillings. They are wrapped in triangle or rectangle shapes within bamboo or reed leaves and tied with soaked stalks or colorful silky cords. The flavors of zongzi are usually different from one region to another across China. Read more on [Zongzi](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-zongzi.htm). ### 2\. Participating In or Attending Dragon Boat Races ![dragon boat festival celebration, dragon boat race](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Dragon boat racing is the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a River. There is another explanation. It is believed that dragon boat racing can be traced back to over 2,000 years ago, when it was a way to worship the Dragon God or Water God. The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a [Chinese dragon](https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The boats' size varies by region and usually need 30–60 people to paddle them. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year. The most famous dragon boat races can be found in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Read more on [Dragon Boat Racing](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-racing.htm). ### 3\. Hanging Chinese Mugwort and Calamus ![dragon boat festival celebration](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) The Dragon Boat Festival is held at the start of summer when diseases are more prevalent. Mugwort leaves are used medicinally in China to combat such diseases. Their fragrance deters flies and mosquitoes. Calamus is an aquatic plant that has similar effects. On the fifth day of the fifth month, people usually clean their houses, courtyards, and hang mugwort and calamus on doors lintels to discourage diseases. It is also said hanging mugwort and calamus can bring good luck to the family. ### 4\. Drinking Realgar Wine ![dragon boat festival celebration,](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) There is an old saying: 'Drinking realgar wine drives diseases and evils away!' Realgar wine is a Chinese alcoholic drink consisting of fermented cereals and powdered realgar (ruby-like arsenic sulphide). In ancient times, people believed that realgar was an antidote for all poisons, and effective for killing insects and driving away evil spirits. So, everyone would drink some realgar wine during the Dragon Boat Festival. Learn more about [Dragon Boat Festival Food](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-food.htm). ### 5\. Wearing Perfume Pouches ![dragon boat festival celebration,](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Before Dragon Boat Festival arrives, parents usually prepare perfume pouches for their children. They sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and then string them shut with silk threads. During Dragon Boat Festival perfume pouches are hung around kids' necks or tied to the front of a garment as an ornament. The perfume pouches are said to protect them from evil. Learn more on [Dragon Boat Festival Customs](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-custom.htm). ## The Origins of the Dragon Boat Festival There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular ones are as follows: ![Why Dragon Boat Festival Celebrated](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) ### The Death of Qu Yuan The most popular one is in commemoration of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan (340–278 BC) was a patriotic poet and exiled official during the Warring States Period of ancient China. He drowned himself in the Miluo River on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, when his beloved Chu State fell to the State of Qin. Local people desperately tried to save Qu Yuan or recover his body, to no avail. In order to commemorate Qu Yuan, every fifth day of the fifth lunar month people beat drums and paddle out in boats on the river as they once did to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body. Learn more about [the History and Legends of the Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-history.htm). ### The Unlucky Fifth Month Another possible explanation for the origins of the festival relates to the calendar placement of the occasion. Since ancient times, the fifth lunar month has been considered an unlucky month, and is known to some as the 'month of poison', because the dreaded 'five poisonous creatures' (五毒wǔdú) begin to emerge in this month. Traditionally, the five creatures refer to centipedes, scorpions, snakes, toads, and spiders. Poisonous creatures, brought out by the warming weather and seasonal fluctuations, as well as natural disasters and illnesses are common in the fifth month. The fifth day of the fifth month ("double five") was believed to be a very inauspicious day. On this day, people would put wormwood and calamus on the door and wore fragrant mugwort pouches (香包). Since the shape of calamus leaves is like that of a sword and due to the strong smell of the herb, it is believed that calamus can keep pests as well as evil spirits away. So, Dragon Boat Festival is also called "Calamus Festival" (菖蒲节 Chāngpú Jié). ## Names of Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival has more than twenty names and each has its own meaning and origins. It is called Duanwu Jie in Mandarin and Tuen Ng in Cantonese, and is also known as 'Dumpling Festival' and 'Double Fifth Festival'. ### 1\. Dragon Boat Festival It is called Dragon Boat Festival, or Longzhou Jie (龙舟节) in Chinese, because of its close association with dragon boats. Chinese people attach great cultural significance to [dragons](https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-chinese-dragons.htm). The two main activities during the festival are eating zongzi (rice dumplings) and boat races, and both are related to dragons. Zongzi have long been thrown into rivers as offerings and sacrifices to the Dragon God on lunar month 5 day 5, while dragon boats are used in races traditionally held on this day. So, it is also called the Dragon Boat Festival. ### 2\. Duanwu Jie The Dragon Boat Festival is called Duanwu Jie (端午节) in Mandarin Chinese. Duan (端) means 'start', while wu (午) means 'noon', but also 'the fifth solar month' in the traditional Chinese calendar (approximately June 6 – July 6), centered around the summer solstice. 'The month of noon' marks the middle of summer. Hence, Duanwu Jie means 'the beginning of mid-summer festival'. Also, 端五 is a variant of Duanwu using wu (五), the Chinese character meaning 'five'. So 'Duanwu' can also mean 'Start of the Fifth Solar Month'. ### 3\. Double Fifth Festival Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it is also called "Double Fifth Festival" (Chongwu Jie 重五节 in Chinese). See [why it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-date.htm). ## Dragon Boat Festival Greetings ![Chinese Dragon Boat Festival greeting](https://data.chinahighlights.com/grey.gif) Did you know that "Happy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午快乐 Duānwǔjié kuàilè) might not be an appropriate greeting, even though it sounds quite natural? (This is because of the solemn commemorative and evil-suppressing aspects of the day.) "Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival" (端午安康 Duānwǔjié ānkāng) is getting more popular as a greeting. [Click to know how to greet people during Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.chinahighlights.com/festivals/dragon-boat-festival-greeting.htm), and why.
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