The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (7 June 2019). It has its origins in a tragedy that occurred 2,000 years ago, and commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese national hero. In a protest against corrupt rulers, Qu drowned himself in the Mi Lo River.

To scare away fish from eating his body, the people beat drums and threw glutinous rice dumplings into the water. Today, this event is remembered by Chinese people around the world, who eat the rice dumplingsand go swimming or at least dip their hands in rivers, lakes or the sea.

The real highlight of the festival is the Dragon Boat Race, a vibrant, fun-filled race. Many teams that train months before the race are participating. The wooden boats, that are more than 10 metres long, have ornately carved dragon heads and tails. They can carry a crew of up to 20-22 paddlers plus a steersman and a drummer who gives the paddling rhythm for the racers. The winning team is said to have good luck throughout the year.

In 2009 the Dragon Boat Festival was given the status of:   UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage

For more information, please contact our German speaking market experts RMC International on:  office@rmc-int.eu

Click edit button to change this text.