Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Thursday, July 7
    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Submit PR & Events
    • The HK Support Hub
    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    The HK HUB
    • What’s On

      What’s On: What To Watch In Movie Theatres This Month

      2022-07-05

      What’s On: New Restaurant & Bar Openings In Hong Kong In July 2022

      2022-07-04

      What’s On: The Most Exciting Events For All This Month

      2022-07-04

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2022-07-04

      What To Do In Hong Kong For Pride Month 2022 This June

      2022-06-13
    • Eat & Drink
      1. Bars
      2. Food
      3. Restaurants
      4. Reviews
      5. View All

      Coa Named Asia’s Best Bar For 2nd Consecutive Year; 7 More Hong Kong Bars Appear In Top 50

      2022-05-05

      10 Best Shisha Bars In Hong Kong For A Smoke & Chill Session

      2021-12-30

      Festive Afternoon Teas in Hong Kong to Enjoy This Christmas

      2021-11-30

      Our 10 Favourite Places To Fulfill Your Bubble Tea Craving

      2021-11-04

      15 Delicious Singaporean Foods You Must Try (And Where To Eat When In Singapore)

      2022-06-20

      37 Best Weekend Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong (June Update)

      2022-06-09

      Where To Get 11 Rice Dumplings (Zongzi) In Hong Kong For Dragon Boat Festival Gifts

      2022-05-24

      10 Filipino Dishes You Must Try When In The Philippines

      2022-05-13

      37 Best Weekend Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong (June Update)

      2022-06-09

      9 Best Yakiniku Restaurants In Hong Kong For Japanese BBQ Feasts

      2022-06-07

      10 Father’s Day Restaurants In 2022 To Treat Your Dad With

      2022-06-02

      Sugar & Salt: 27 Best High Teas To Try in Hong Kong

      2022-04-28

      Restaurant Review – Modern Chinese Vegetarian at Miss Lee

      2020-03-05

      Restaurant Review: Middle Eastern Brunch at FRANCIS, Wan Chai

      2019-12-04

      Restaurant Review: Hue, Modern Australian with Harbour Views

      2019-11-27

      Review: Micasadeco & Café, Langham Place

      2019-09-20

      15 Delicious Singaporean Foods You Must Try (And Where To Eat When In Singapore)

      2022-06-20

      37 Best Weekend Brunches With Free-Flow Options To Try In Hong Kong (June Update)

      2022-06-09

      9 Best Yakiniku Restaurants In Hong Kong For Japanese BBQ Feasts

      2022-06-07

      10 Father’s Day Restaurants In 2022 To Treat Your Dad With

      2022-06-02
    • Lifestyle
      1. Beauty
      2. Fashion
      3. Entertainment
      4. Interviews
      5. Outdoor
      6. Shopping
      7. View All

      10 Best Hotel Spas In Hong Kong For Luxurious Massages & Spa Packages

      2022-04-26

      Our Review of LifeHub’s IV Drip Treatment For Glowing Skin

      2021-12-09

      Our Review Of EstheClinic’s OXYPURE Oxygenation Facial

      2021-11-18

      5 Fantastic Spas In Central For Stress Relief Massages & Luxurious Beauty Treatments

      2021-09-16

      15 Local Hong Kong Fashion Brands For Stylish Women, Men & Kids

      2022-02-02

      Hong Kong-based fashionpreneurs Rock Atoll promote sustainable and year-round witty apparel

      2021-04-30

      M+ Cinema, Hong Kong’s Brand New Cinema Destination, Opens 8 June

      2022-05-31

      6 Best Bowling Spots In Hong Kong: Glowing Bowling Alleys & Outdoor Lawn Greens

      2022-04-20

      20 Dating Apps In Hong Kong For Meeting Friends, Lovers & Forever Partners

      2022-03-16

      Experience LOST Hong Kong’s Virtual Escape Rooms With Up To 8 Teammates

      2022-03-15

      “There’s A Lot To Be Done When It Comes To Laws” Protecting Women And Sexual Minorities In Hong Kong, Says SCMP Editor Salomé Grouard

      2022-06-30

      Founder Of Africa Center Hong Kong, Innocent Mutanga: “It’s Time We Take Ownership Of The African Story”

      2022-05-23

      Brian Eagen Lau On Transfeminism: “In Hong Kong, I Get Stared At A Lot; In Thailand, I Don’t Experience That”

      2022-04-07

      HER Fund On Intersectionality & Letting Marginalized Lead In Journey Towards Gender Equality

      2022-03-17

      20 Beautiful Gazetted & Non-Gazetted Beaches In Hong Kong

      2022-05-12

      Top 10 Hong Kong Hikes With Trails For Families, Hardcore Hikers & Nature Lovers

      2022-04-14

      Dazzling Waterfalls Dotted Around Hong Kong To Refresh Yourself After a Hike

      2021-09-02

      Your Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in Hong Kong

      2021-08-16

      Vipop, Bringing Environmentally Conscious Latin American Fashion & Jewelry To Asia

      2022-07-04

      13 Dad-Friendly Ideas For Father’s Day Gifts From Local Businesses

      2022-06-01

      7 Stores To Get Gourmet Hampers & Gift Boxes For All Special Occasions

      2022-05-18

      10 Local Businesses Offering Inspired Mother’s Day Gifts

      2022-04-29

      Vipop, Bringing Environmentally Conscious Latin American Fashion & Jewelry To Asia

      2022-07-04

      “There’s A Lot To Be Done When It Comes To Laws” Protecting Women And Sexual Minorities In Hong Kong, Says SCMP Editor Salomé Grouard

      2022-06-30

      The Beginner’s Guide To The Metaverse: What Is The Metaverse & Why Does It Matter?

      2022-06-15

      13 Dad-Friendly Ideas For Father’s Day Gifts From Local Businesses

      2022-06-01
    • News
      1. Covid Pandemic
      2. Local News
      3. View All

      Hong Kong Considering Changes To Quarantine Period, Says John Lee

      2022-07-05

      What Happens To Compulsory Covid-19 Testing During A Hong Kong Typhoon?

      2022-07-02

      Social Distancing Rules And Negative Antigen Tests To Enter Nightlife Venues Extended Till Mid-July

      2022-06-27

      New Anti-Scalping Measures To Regulate Quarantine Room Booking And Prices; Three New Hotels Added To 8th Cycle

      2022-06-25

      Hong Kong’s New Trial Traffic Lights To Target Smartphone Users

      2022-07-06

      Here Are The 10 Most Expensive Cities In The World To Live In (And Hong Kong Ranks #1)

      2022-07-05

      [UPDATE] : Typhoon Signal To Be Lowered To Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, Between 4 And 8PM

      2022-07-01

      How Is Hong Kong Celebrating Its 25th Anniversary Of The Establishment Of The HKSAR?

      2022-06-30

      Hong Kong’s New Trial Traffic Lights To Target Smartphone Users

      2022-07-06

      Here Are The 10 Most Expensive Cities In The World To Live In (And Hong Kong Ranks #1)

      2022-07-05

      Hong Kong Considering Changes To Quarantine Period, Says John Lee

      2022-07-05

      What Happens To Compulsory Covid-19 Testing During A Hong Kong Typhoon?

      2022-07-02
    • Family
      1. Activities
      2. Education
      3. Kids
      4. Pets
      5. View All

      Hong Kong Palace Museum Opened On 3 July, A Day After Typhoon Chaba’s Passing

      2022-07-05

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2022-07-04

      52 Amazing Summer Camps In 2022 Your Child Will Love

      2022-05-26

      Hong Kong Disneyland Fireworks To Resume Next Year

      2021-11-04

      52 Amazing Summer Camps In 2022 Your Child Will Love

      2022-05-26

      4 Tips For Parents To Be Proactive Against Bullying At School

      2022-05-03

      Filling The Gap For Underprivileged Children & Non-Chinese Speakers With Adapted Education: IBEL

      2022-04-13

      A Hong Kong School Issues Cautionary Bulletin About Squid Game

      2021-10-28

      Camp Beaumont Brings 40 Years Of Expertise For Its Multi-Activity Summer Camps (And We Got You 10% Off)

      2022-05-26

      52 Amazing Summer Camps In 2022 Your Child Will Love

      2022-05-26

      10 Awesome Playgroups In Hong Kong To Prepare Your Toddler For Kindergarten & Beyond

      2022-05-12

      8 Tips For Working From Home Productively With Kids

      2022-03-03

      Hong Kong Gets 12 More Pet-Friendly Parks

      2022-06-29

      Hong Kong To Introduce New Measures To Prevent Cruelty To Animals, May Require Cats To Be Microchipped

      2022-04-28

      Hong Kong Government To Conduct Spot Checks On Dog Licences Starting April 25

      2022-04-25

      Hong Kong Opens 62 More Pet-friendly Parks, Bringing Total to 103

      2022-04-20

      Hong Kong Palace Museum Opened On 3 July, A Day After Typhoon Chaba’s Passing

      2022-07-05

      What’s On: The Best Family-Friendly Events This Month

      2022-07-04

      Hong Kong Gets 12 More Pet-Friendly Parks

      2022-06-29

      Camp Beaumont Brings 40 Years Of Expertise For Its Multi-Activity Summer Camps (And We Got You 10% Off)

      2022-05-26
    • Culture

      The Cultural Guide To Kwan Tai’s Birthday, The Chinese God Of War

      2022-07-06

      Hong Kong Palace Museum Opened On 3 July, A Day After Typhoon Chaba’s Passing

      2022-07-05

      The History Of Hong Kong Establishment Day On July 1, The Birth Of Modern Hong Kong

      2022-06-23

      Jumbo Floating Restaurant, A Hong Kong Cultural Landmark And Fallen Kingdom

      2022-06-16

      All You Need to Know About Dragon Boat Festival: The Meaning Behind Races & Where To Watch Them In 2022

      2022-05-17
    • Sustainability

      Vipop, Bringing Environmentally Conscious Latin American Fashion & Jewelry To Asia

      2022-07-04

      Where To Buy Environmentally-Friendly Clothing, Beauty, Home Products In Hong Kong?

      2022-07-04

      Eco-Fashion Advocate Sheryl Bolden’s Book ‘Sustainably Stylish’ Is A Guide To Building An Ethical Wardrobe

      2022-05-03

      KaiJai, Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Get Grippier As You Sweat

      2022-04-27

      Eco-Friendly Jewellery: What You Need To Know About Lab-Grown Gemstones

      2022-04-20
    • Wellness
      1. Diet
      2. Fitness
      3. Health
      4. View All

      Bust the Belly Fat: Nutrition for Healthy Weight Loss and Maintenance

      2018-02-27

      Hong Kong’s Top Gluten Free Restaurants and Cafés

      2014-12-01

      KaiJai, Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Get Grippier As You Sweat

      2022-04-27

      Where To Go Rock Climbing and Bouldering In Hong Kong?

      2021-10-28

      Free Daily Online Dance Classes in Hong Kong!

      2020-04-16

      Great Ideas to Keep Busy While ‘Social Distancing’

      2020-04-02

      The Kare Lab Launches Anti-Viral & Anti-Microbial Screen Protector That Kills 99% Of Coronavirus In 30 Minutes

      2022-05-18

      What Is Loneliness: How To Connect In The Throes of Pandemic Isolation

      2022-04-21

      Turn Critical To Compassionate #4: There’s Nothing Wrong With Embracing Negative Feelings

      2022-03-03

      Turn Critical To Compassionate #3: Perfectionism Is Paralysis By Overanalysis

      2022-02-24

      The Physical Effects Of Fear And How To Effectively Overcome Fear When It Cripples

      2022-06-22

      The Kare Lab Launches Anti-Viral & Anti-Microbial Screen Protector That Kills 99% Of Coronavirus In 30 Minutes

      2022-05-18

      KaiJai, Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Get Grippier As You Sweat

      2022-04-27

      10 Best Hotel Spas In Hong Kong For Luxurious Massages & Spa Packages

      2022-04-26
    • Travel
      1. Hotel Reviews
      2. Staycations & Hotels
      3. Travel Guides
      4. Travel To Hong Kong
      5. View All

      Review: Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

      2022-02-09

      Review: Four Seasons Sayan, Bali

      2018-11-09

      Review: Weekend Escape At The Grand Lapa, Macau

      2015-10-02

      Review: Family Staycation At The Grand Coloane Resort, Macau

      2015-08-19

      12 Luxurious 5-Star Hotels In Manila, The Philippines’ Capital Region

      2022-06-08

      20 Staycation Packages In Hong Kong To Book For A Self-Care Retreat

      2022-04-28

      The Ultimate List Of Hong Kong’s Best 5-Star Hotels

      2021-10-27

      8 Best Budget-Friendly Hostels in Hong Kong

      2021-09-13

      20 Places To Visit In Singapore And How To Get There

      2022-06-28

      The Traveller’s Guide For Exploring Palawan Island: What To See & What To Do

      2022-05-17

      18 Getaway Destinations In Asia-Pacific To Travel To During Covid (With Entry Requirement Details)

      2022-04-01

      Top 10 Things To Do in Seoul

      2020-01-15

      The Updated List Of Hong Kong’s Government Designated Quarantine Hotels

      2022-06-21

      The 8th Quarantine Hotels Cycle List Is Out And Available For Bookings From August 1 to October 31

      2022-06-17

      Starting May 1, Non Residents And Tourists Can Enter Hong Kong While Flight Ban Will Be Reduced To 5 Days

      2022-04-23

      Travelling To Hong Kong Checklist: Who Can Enter, Necessary Arrival Documents, Booking Quarantine Hotel & More

      2022-03-29

      20 Places To Visit In Singapore And How To Get There

      2022-06-28

      The Updated List Of Hong Kong’s Government Designated Quarantine Hotels

      2022-06-21

      The 8th Quarantine Hotels Cycle List Is Out And Available For Bookings From August 1 to October 31

      2022-06-17

      12 Luxurious 5-Star Hotels In Manila, The Philippines’ Capital Region

      2022-06-08
    • HK Living
      1. Around HK
      2. Essential HK
      3. Helpers
      4. Neighbourhoods
      5. Work
      6. View All

      50 Interesting Things You Must Do In Hong Kong

      2022-04-21

      10 Awesome Gazetted Swimming Pools For Olympic Pools, Water Slides & Kids’ Facilities

      2021-10-07

      Your Guide To Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery

      2021-09-23

      French May 2021 Imagines A New World Full of Art And Fantasy… and Gastronomy!

      2021-04-30

      Hong Kong’s Typhoon Signals & Weather Warnings, Explained

      2022-07-02

      Your Comprehensive Guide To Preparing For A Typhoon In Hong Kong

      2022-06-09

      Hong Kong Public Holidays In 2022 & 2023

      2022-05-16

      Leaving Hong Kong Checklist: How To Withdraw MPF, Clear Taxes, Get Rid Of Furniture & Much More

      2022-03-24

      Domestic Helpers Left Stranded In Parks & Outside Hospitals After Testing Covid-Positive

      2022-02-18

      NGO Helping Hong Kong Helpers Access Justice & Better Conditions, HELP for Domestic Workers

      2021-11-03

      Helper Insurance Options in Hong Kong

      2020-08-05

      Uplifters, Helping Domestic Helpers

      2019-01-25

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Exploring Kennedy Town

      2022-06-30

      A Local Guide To Living, Dining & Playing In Discovery Bay

      2021-10-20

      Where to Eat and Drink in Wan Chai

      2019-10-16

      Things to do in Sai Kung

      2019-10-10

      Hong Kong’s New World Group To Test 4.5 Work Week This Summer

      2022-07-06

      All You Need To Know About Employee’s Compensation Insurance In Hong Kong

      2022-06-28

      All You Need To Know About Business Insurances in Hong Kong

      2021-08-11

      The Best 4 Ways to Structure Your Day and Accomplish Your Goals

      2020-04-29

      Hong Kong’s New World Group To Test 4.5 Work Week This Summer

      2022-07-06

      Hong Kong’s Typhoon Signals & Weather Warnings, Explained

      2022-07-02

      Your Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Exploring Kennedy Town

      2022-06-30

      All You Need To Know About Employee’s Compensation Insurance In Hong Kong

      2022-06-28
    The HK HUB
    Home»Culture»All You Need to Know About Dragon Boat Festival: The Meaning Behind Races & Where To Watch Them In 2022
    Culture

    All You Need to Know About Dragon Boat Festival: The Meaning Behind Races & Where To Watch Them In 2022

    Angela ChongBy Angela Chong2022-05-17Updated:2022-06-02No Comments11 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp
    dragon boat team hong kong

    The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional festival with the central themes of warding off evil spirits and keeping diseases, pests, and drought away. Today, dragon boat racing is a sport that people all over the world participate in, but the origins and other traditional practices related to the festival are less known. Its history is rooted in the stories of 2 significant Chinese figures: Qu Yuan (屈原) and Wu Zixu (伍子胥). The date of this traditional public holiday varies on the Gregorian calendar.

    Content of this article hide
    What is Dragon Boat Festival?
    How to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival
    The history behind Dragon Boat Festival
    Qu Yuan (屈原)
    Wu Zixu (伍子胥)
    Cao E (曹娥)
    What to eat during Dragon Boat Festival?
    In Hong Kong
    In Taiwan and China
    What is the significance of dragon boat races?
    Where can I watch the dragon boat races this year?
    FAQ about Dragon Boat Festival
    What is the significance of dragon boat races?
    How did Dragon Boat Festival start?
    What do people eat during Dragon Boat Festival?

    What is Dragon Boat Festival?

    crowds watch dragon boat races
    Large crowds gather at rivers for dragon boat races (© Tony Tseng via WikiCommons)

    The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on June 3, 2022. Also known as Tuen Ng Festival (端午節, tuen ng jit in Cantonese) or Double Fifth Festival (雙五節, seung ng jit in Cantonese), the day highlights dragon boat racing as a symbol of the culmination of multiple practices meant to drive away evil energy and invite clean energy into your life. The name ‘Double Fifth Festival’ comes from the holiday’s occurrence on the fifth day of the five-month lunar calendar. Celebrated all over Asia, the most common activities are watching fierce dragon boat races and eating symbolic foods like sticky rice cooked in lotus leaves.

    How to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival

    Traditional practices for celebrating The Dragon Boat Festival include:

    • Hanging portraits of the guardian deity Zhong Kui (鍾馗), a hunter of demons, in the home to keep dark spirits from entering;
    • Hanging mugwort leaves, a Chinese herbal medicine, on the front door to protect the household from illness. Indeed, it’s been found that insects are repelled by mugwort and calamus plants;
    • Giving children lucky fragrance pouches called ‘fragrant sachets’ (香囊, heung nong in Cantonese), which are sewn with silk cloth and thread and then filled with fragrances or herbs. Again, the effects are twofold: these bags are worn around the neck or tied to the front of clothing to protect the individual from evil spirits and to deter insects carrying infectious diseases;
    • Standing an egg on its end for a day, which is believed to bring prosperity for the year.

    These traditions are key in encouraging a healthy and especially prosperous year ahead.

    ink painting of zhong kui
    Chinese demon hunter, Zhong Kui, in a mural in Taiwan (© Dudva via WikiCommons)
    colourful chinese pouches filled with herbs and perfume
    Scented pouches for children during Tuen Ng Festival (© zevei-wenhui via Canva)
    chinese herb mugwort
    Mugwort herbs hanging to dry (© Dave Bonta via Flickr)

    The Dragon Boat Festival is mainly celebrated in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and within the Chinese community in other countries. While practices like hanging dried herbs and wearing perfume pouches may not be seen everywhere, activities like eating festive foods and dragon boat racing are certainly practised all over the world. Different countries have various ways of celebrating, but they all unite around the core ideas of avoiding sickness and warding off evil spirits.

    The history behind Dragon Boat Festival

    The Dragon Boat Festival is believed to have its origin two thousand years ago in the Warring States period (475-221 BC). During this divisive ancient Chinese era, seven states fought for territorial control until the country was united under the Qin Dynasty.

    Chinese figures Qu Yuan, Wu Zixu, and Cao E are said to have lived during this period, and the legends surrounding their lives are key to understanding the history and various modern practices surrounding the festival. 

    Qu Yuan (屈原)

    qu yuan on dragon boat display in singapore
    Historical figure Qu Yuan plays a part in the importance of the Dragon Boat Festival (© Vmenkov, CC 3.0)

    Qu Yuan was a poet and political minister in the Chu state characterized by his classical poetry and political devotion. As the king’s main advisor, Qu Yuan attempted to introduce strong political reform. Other officials became jealous of his high position and manipulated the king into exiling Qu Yuan.

    During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote poems to show his love for his province. When the Chu state eventually fell to the Qin state, the story states that Qu Yuan was so devastated that he wrote one final poem and then drowned himself in a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. The legend goes on to say that sympathetic villagers rowed onto the river to retrieve his body.

    Unable to find it, they rowed along the river hitting the water with their paddles and beating drums to scare bad spirits away. They also threw lumps of rice into the water to distract fish from eating the body. Scholars write of his death as a form of martyrdom, a respectable symbol of his dedication to his home state. In this way, the traditions of boat racing and consumption of rice dumplings came about to honor the memory of Qu Yuan.

    Wu Zixu (伍子胥)  

    print depicting wu zixu history
    Meiji era artist Yoshitoshi’s print depicting the story of Wu Zixu (© Japan Collection via WikiCommons)

    A second origin story tells of Wu Zixu, the ancient premier of Wu state. People in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, which is the former territory of the Wu state, more commonly attribute this story to the birth of Tuen Ng Festival.

    Wu’s brother and father were imprisoned on order of the king. Eventually, both were executed. Wu Zixu fled to Wu state in fear that he would experience the same fate. He eventually helped Wu state’s king conquer Chu state, avenging his family members’ execution and advancing in political rank. But when the king’s successor was bribed by an opposing state’s official (a state that Wu had advised the successor to target), Wu Zixu was commanded to commit suicide.

    Wu’s body was thrown into a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and locals held dragon boat races to show solidarity with him.

    Cao E (曹娥)

    statue of cao e in front of ancient chinese print
    Cao E statue in a Chinese temple (© Siyuwj via WikiCommons)

    Another popular origin story behind Tuen Ng Festival is about a loyal daughter named Cao E. The young girl’s father drowned in a river, his body lost to the water. Cao E searched along the riverbanks for his corpse for days, wanting to give her father a proper burial. Unable to contain her sorrow, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the filial daughter jumped into the river. Cao E’s body was discovered days later. In her arms, she held her father, having finally found him in death.

    What to eat during Dragon Boat Festival?

    In Hong Kong

    The most traditional food related to the Dragon Boat Festival is the rice dumpling known as zongzi (粽子), simply called jung (糉) in Hong Kong. The dumpling starts with sticky glutinous rice that is soaked in alkaline water. The sticky rice is wrapped in bamboo leaves in a triangular shape, filled with precooked ingredients, tied with string, and boiled in water. The common fillings for glutinous rice dumplings are egg yolk, pork, lotus seeds, green bean paste, peanuts, and other nuts.

    sticky rice dumpling for dragon boat festival
    Rice dumplings are steamed in baskets(© iPandastudio via Canva)
    fillings inside chinese sticky dumpling
    Salted egg yolk and mushroom inside zongzi (© ksumano via Canva)

    The lumps of rice thrown into the river in the story of Qu Yuan have evolved into this elaborate, rich food that sees variations in fillings and bamboo leaf shapes throughout Asian countries.

    chinese fried sesame balls
    Jiandui (© Supardisahabu via WikiCommons)

    In Hong Kong, people also eat fried sesame balls called jiandui (煎䭔). These pastries are made of glutinous rice flour that is then fried and coated with sesame seeds. A delightful eating experience, the outside of the jiandui is crispy and savoury while the inside is chewy and sweet. The balls contain various fillings, like red bean paste or mochi (a Japanese twist).

    In Taiwan and China

    The variations don’t stop at jiandui; the food associated with this celebratory Double Fifth Festival season changes depending on where the festival is located.

    In Taiwan, multiple ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, shallots, and baby shrimp are stir-fried and then steamed inside rice dumplings. In Northern China, the sticky rice dumplings tend to be sweeter; in Southern China, the rice dumplings are salty and more rectangular; in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, people boil eggs in tea and dye them red to be hung in a bag around children’s neck for good luck.

    realgar wine preparation
    Realgar wine (© xb100 via Canva)

    Another culinary tradition during Tuen Ng Festival is drinking realgar wine. Chinese yellow wine is combined with trace amounts of powdered realgar (雄黄, xiong huang in Putonghua), which is a dark yellow arsenic sulphide mineral. Here again, the beliefs are both practical and symbolic; the wine is an antidote for poison and also thought to chase away evil energy.

    What is the significance of dragon boat races?

    The dragon boat race is the most exciting, colourful event during Tuen Ng Festival. The famous dragon boat is a long, narrow boat painted with a Chinese dragon head and tail. The number of paddlers can stretch from 10 to 50, with the typical team consisting of 22 people. Along with the paddlers, there is also the leader at the bow beating the timekeeping drum and a steerer at the rear.

    Teamwork is an essential factor as all the paddlers need to move in unison, following the rhythm of the beating drum. This ritual of the beating drum and synchronicity placates the rain gods so that they bring raindrops in the year to come, and also celebrates rice growth in the summer.

    paddlers in dragon boat race
    Dragon boat teams competing in Macau (© lidxplus via WikiCommons)

    Since 1976, dragon boat racing has started to become more popular as the Hong Kong government under British rule marketed dragon boat racing as a sport to attract tourism. As the International Dragon Boat Federation was built in 1991, since then dragon boat racing has been practiced in lots of countries around the world. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race attracts international athletes to compete every year and races have become so popular that lots of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Germany have their own dragon races.

    The Dragon Boat Festival or Double Fifth Festival has grown from a legend based on defending the home from evil spirits to an international tradition. The world has grown to share its praise and Hong Kong has embraced it wholeheartedly. The Dragon Boat race remains a sport of unity and an amazing festival to respect both the legends and the current culture surrounding it.

    Where can I watch the dragon boat races this year?

    In 2022, the following dragon boat races are scheduled. Due to the ongoing pandemic, events may be postponed or cancelled, so please check event details before heading out to the races.

    • Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships 2022 at Stanley Main Beach, June 3, 8am – 5pm.
    • Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade (Details to be announced).
    • Tai O Dragon Boat Race at Tai O Public Pier, June 3.
    • 2022 Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race, postponed to October 2.
    • Tai Po Dragon Boat Race at Tai Po Village, postponed to October 16.

    FAQ about Dragon Boat Festival

    What is the significance of dragon boat races?

    Dragon boat races are the most important event during Dragon Boat Festival; paddling to a drum beat represents asking the gods for rain in the coming season and defending the community from evil spirits.

    How did Dragon Boat Festival start?

    The most common story describing Dragon Boat Festival, or Double Fifth Festival’s origin, is about Qu Yuan. He was a loyal political minister who drowned himself when the state he loved was defeated in battle.

    What do people eat during Dragon Boat Festival?

    The most common festival foods eaten during Dragon Boat Festival (also called Tuen Ng Festival) are sticky rice dumplings, ‘jiandui’ fried sesame balls, and yellow realgar wine.

    Other traditional Chinese festivals: Lunar New Year — Lunar New Year Fair — Birthday of Che Kung — Chinese Lantern Festival — Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival — Ching Ming Festival — Tin Hau Festival — Cheung Chau Bun Festival — Buddha’s Birthday — Birthday of Tam Kung — Dragon Boat Festival — Birthday of Kwan Tai — Seven Sisters Festival — Hung Shing Festival — Hungry Ghost Festival — Mid-Autumn Festival — Monkey King Festival — Birthday of Confucius — Chung Yeung Festival — Winter Solstice Festival.

    Header image credits: eLjeProks via WikiCommons

    5/5 - (3 votes)
    Aberdeen Stanley Tai O Tai Po
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Angela Chong
    • Website
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn

    Angela studied Culinary Art & Food Service Management and had lived in the United States for several years. She has traveled to several countries and experienced their unique cultures of food and life. Having grown up with a passion for food she seeks to try any specialty food wherever she goes. You can learn more about her journey on her website.

    Related Posts

    The Cultural Guide To Kwan Tai’s Birthday, The Chinese God Of War

    2022-07-06 Culture

    Hong Kong Palace Museum Opened On 3 July, A Day After Typhoon Chaba’s Passing

    2022-07-05 Activities

    The History Of Hong Kong Establishment Day On July 1, The Birth Of Modern Hong Kong

    2022-06-23 Culture

    Add comment

    Partners
    CCW Hong Kong
    The Kare Lab, Medical PPE Supplier
    Latest Posts
    Hong Kong’s New Trial Traffic Lights To Target Smartphone Users
    2022-07-06
    Hong Kong’s New World Group To Test 4.5 Work Week This Summer
    2022-07-06
    The Cultural Guide To Kwan Tai’s Birthday, The Chinese God Of War
    2022-07-06
    What’s On: What To Watch In Movie Theatres This Month
    2022-07-05
    Hong Kong Palace Museum Opened On 3 July, A Day After Typhoon Chaba’s Passing
    2022-07-05
    Here Are The 10 Most Expensive Cities In The World To Live In (And Hong Kong Ranks #1)
    2022-07-05
    Hong Kong Considering Changes To Quarantine Period, Says John Lee
    2022-07-05
    Vipop, Bringing Environmentally Conscious Latin American Fashion & Jewelry To Asia
    2022-07-04
    Where To Buy Environmentally-Friendly Clothing, Beauty, Home Products In Hong Kong?
    2022-07-04
    What’s On: New Restaurant & Bar Openings In Hong Kong In July 2022
    2022-07-04
    Advertising Solutions
    Newsletters

    Receive the latest news weekly

    Subscribe to updates

    Open the door to Hong Kong and get your weekly dose of stories, deals and tips.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Submit PR & Events
    • The HK Support Hub
    • Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Designed by Get Clicks.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.