Beijing parks roll out Dragon Boat festivities

Beijing's parks are gearing up for a vibrant Dragon Boat Festival holiday, offering a mix of cultural performances, interactive fairs, and family-friendly activities from May 31 to June 2.

The Temple of Heaven, Xiangshan Park, and Zizhuyuan Park will host folk performances, featuring live streaming for remote audiences.

At Taoranting Park, visitors can dive into folk customs with hands-on workshops and food stalls, while Yuyuantan Park will present live folk-pop music and a book fair, enhanced by mixed-reality tech and cultural creative displays.

The Summer Palace will decode architectural details of its ancient pavilion and recreate ambient soundscapes to evoke classical garden charm. Meanwhile, the Temple of Heaven will enrich its tours with exhibits of excavated artifacts, ranging from stoneware to calligraphy.

Beihai Park is collaborating with Sichuan's Rangtang county to display over 80 Thangka paintings, stone carvings, and photographs, bridging Tibetan and Han ethnic traditions. Jingshan Park, meanwhile, is hosting photography and fine art exhibitions.

The event lineup will also include science education sessions, handicraft activities, and a book swap on International Children's Day.

Families can explore shared park spaces — from secret gardens to reading nooks — or join lessons on birdwatching and insects.

The festival, recognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage, falls on May 31 this year.