This year, the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on May 30 and even though it is still a few days away, the fragrance of rice dumplings has already started to spread about Hangzhou. Along with a variety of festive food, scenic areas are also itching to impress all with a series of fun activities, which of course are themed on the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. So, get ready, set, and go and immerse yourself in a world of cultural fun.

Cangqian Dragon Boat Festival Pageant

Rowing a dragon boat to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional activity observed by the Cangqian people in Yuhang District, Hangzhou. In 2009, the event was inscribed as a provincial intangible culture heritage of Zhejiang and has since become a featured cultural and sports brand of Cangqian Street. Originally celebrated as a sacrifice to the Dragon King (the God of Rain in Chinese mythology), the activity has now evolved into a grand festival and in doing so showcases the qualities of Cangqian people as diligent, positive, tenacious and united. On festival day, no matter how bad the weather, people will gather at the river banks to watch the race.

Time: from 12:00 to 15:00 on May 30
Venue: along Chuangye Street, Dream Town, Cangqian Street, Yuhang District, Hangzhou

“Stepping Back into the Past” in Southern Song Imperial Town

Southern Song Imperial Town is the gathering place for intangible cultural activities of Shangcheng District, if not Hangzhou. This year on Dragon Boat Festival day, at the north square of Drum Tower, activities like making rice dumplings, dragon boat paper-cuts and drawing eggs will be available.

Time: 10:00 to 15:00 on May 29
Venue: north square of Drum Tower
Transportation: take bus No. 127, 13, 189, 190, 195 and 198 to the bus stop of Gulou (Drum Tower)

“Dressing Han Chinese Clothing to Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival” in Gaoting Mountain

On May 30, parents can take their children to the Filial Piety Culture Hall inside Gaoting Mountain Scenic Area in Jianggan District, where they can dress in Han Chinese clothing, learn Chinese traditional etiquettes, read the Classic of Filial Piety, make perfumed sachets and paint dots on the forehead using realgar (realgar in Chinese culture is used to exorcise evil spirits).

Time: 10:00 to 10:45 and 14:00 to 14:45 on May 30 (make reservation one day in advance)
Venue: Filial Piety Culture Hall inside Gaoting Mountain Scenic Area, Jianggan District
Telephone: +86 571 86656677
Fare: 88 RMB per person