Duanwu Festival celebrated with festive activities across China

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of a cultural event marking the Duanwu Festival in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, June 19, 2026. The event opened here on Friday, featuring themed activities including dragon boat race, poetry competition, folk culture experience, and culture and tourism promotion. The Duanwu Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday to commemorate Qu Yuan from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.). Yichang is believed to be the hometown of Qu Yuan. Also known as Dragon Boat Festival, the tradition is observed on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It falls on June 19 this year.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan)