duān wǔ jié
端午节
The Duanwu Festival, commonly known as the Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month). More about Dragon Boat Festival

chī zòng zi
吃粽子
Eating zongzi. Zongzi are pyramid-shaped dumplings made of glutinous rice, stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. This traditional food is popular during the Dragon Boat Festival. More about Zongzi

yǐn xióng huáng jiǔ
饮雄黄酒
Drinking realgar wine. Realgar wine is Chinese liquor seasoned with realgar. It is a custom to drink the wine during the Dragon Boat Festival.

sài lóng zhōu
赛龙舟
Dragon boat racing. Dragon boat racing is a traditional pastime where crews of 22 seated in long, dragon-shaped boats race lengths of up to 2000m. The Races are an indispensable part of the Dragon Boat Festival and are held all over China.

pèi xiāng náng
佩香囊
Wearing a sachet. During Dragon Boat Festival, parents typically dress their children up with a sachet. They first sew little bags with colorful silk cloth, then fill the bags with perfumes or herbal medicines, and finally string them with silk thread. The sachet, which is said to be able to ward off evil, is usually hung around the child's neck or tied to the front of his or her garment as an ornament.

jì wǔ cǎi xiàn
系五彩线
Tying five colored rings. Tying five brightly-colored decorative rings around children's wrists, ankles and necks during the Dragon Boat Festival is said to help the child ward off pests.

qū wǔ dú
驱五毒
"Driving away the five poisonous creatures." During the Dragon Boat Festival, residents make an effort to drive away poisonous pests, including scorpions, vipers, centipedes, house lizards and toads.

yóu bǎi bìng
游百病
"Preventing disease by having fun." In Guizhou Province, a Dragon Boat Festival custom is for villagers to plan outdoor leisure activities together. Entertainment for all is said to ward off disease.