Get Ready for the Dragon Boat Extravaganza!

Mark Your Calendars for June 10, 2024

China Celebrates with Three Days of Festivities

The Dragon Boat Festival, a beloved Chinese tradition, is just around the corner in 2024! This year, it falls on Monday, June 10, marking the start of a three-day holiday in China from June 8 to 10. Known as Duan Wu Jie in Chinese, the festival is a time for joyous celebrations, family reunions, and indulging in centuries-old traditions.

The Dragon Boat Festival has a rich history spanning over 2,000 years, with its origins rooted in the Warring States Period. The legend centers around Qu Yuan, an upright and loyal minister who was unjustly banished and later drowned himself in the Miluo River. In his memory, people raced their boats to search for his body, a tradition that has evolved into the modern-day dragon boat races.

Today, the Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant and colorful event celebrated not only in mainland China but also in Hong Kong, Macau, and Chinese communities worldwide. It's a time when families gather to enjoy traditional dishes like zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) and watch the thrilling dragon boat competitions. The races are held on rivers and lakes, with teams of rowers paddling to the rhythm of drums and cheers from the crowd.