There are bunches of traditional festivals that represent life in China. Various annual events such as Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, and Qingming Festival are worth seeing. The festival's date will often vary yearly because it is celebrated according to the Chinese calendar.

One festival that is no less interesting is the Dragon Boat Festival which is held once a year. The Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival is one of the most important celebrations in China.

The festival has a long history, dating back more than 2 thousand years. One of the histories that inspired this celebration is the famous legend of Qu Yuan during the warring era.

According to legend, Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet and a loyal official of the state of Chu during the Warring States period. Qu Yuan was born into a powerful family and served in a high office. He was the Chu Kingdom's number one adviser and devoted his entire life to helping the king build the Chu Country to be stronger.

At that time, Qu Yuan advised the King to ally with the State of Qi. However, the King of Chu united with the invaders and exiled the Minister. This was recorded in Shi Ji's history book.

When the State of Qin finally began to rule over China, a disillusioned Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River. This event occurs according to the lunar calendar in the fifth month on the fifth day.

Compassionate locals flocked to the boats to search for the body of the hapless minister. They threw dumplings into the river so the aquatic animals would not eat Qu Yuan's body.

This is where this festival began to continue to become the festival you can find now.

This year's fifth day of the fifth lunar month falls on June 22. When celebrating Dragon Boat Festival, various activities will be held throughout China, such as eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), dragon boat races, and hanging grass and sachets. These activities entrust the will of the people to welcome blessings, expel evil spirits and dispel disasters.

Read more: Event: Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China

Many interesting activities can be done during Dragon Boat Festival 2023. Still the same as in previous years, this year you can feel the event's excitement starting from the race, eating zongzi, to taking a midday bath.

Because it is celebrated widely throughout China, the form of activity in the celebration also differs from one region to another. But the similarities are still greater than the differences in the celebrations.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated simultaneously in different regions of China, and you can watch it at the destination you want. You can fly directly to China by ordering tickets at Traveloka.

Not only can you order tickets, but you can also book hotel rooms during your visit to China. What are you waiting for? Plan your vacation to feel the festivity and taste zongzi with Traveloka.