Dragon Boat festival makes China an attractive vacation destination
2010-06-14
One of the boons of traveling is experiencing the unique cultural traditions of far-off places. One such tradition is the Dragon Boat festival in China. Recently declared a cultural treasure by the United Nations, the Dragon Boat festival, occurring annually in June, mixes both old and new in a unique way.
The festival celebrates the legend of Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet, according to Xinhuanet English News. The festival is held across China, with each city offering its own particular events, including dragon boat races and rice dumpling feasts. In Qu Yuan's hometown of Zigui, a new temple will be opened in his honor.
Some are celebrating the occasion in a more modern way. Bars are a popular stop during the Dragon Boat festival, which is an official state holiday. Many say they will use the occasion to watch the World Cup and snack on some dumplings.
"Thanks to Qu Yuan, we have a one-day break from work every year," a Chinese man named Jimmy told the news source.
Travelers may have missed this year's Dragon Boat festival, but they should be sure to time their visit to China with next year's festivities.