The Duanwu Festival, the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar, was established during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period (770-221 BC) and has had a history of more than 2,000 years. It is usually in June in the Gregorian calendar.
The Duanwu Festival is also called the Dragon Boat Festival, Double Fifth Festival. This holiday comes from a story revolving around the ancient poet Qu Yuan. In modern days, people celebrate this holiday mainly by watching dragon boat races and eating Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). The holiday is also seen as protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year.
(By Yang Jiming/Qi Qian)
