A Dragon Boat Festival poster. [Photo provided to fujian.gov.cn]

As the summer breeze carries the aroma of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), Fujian province extends festive greetings to friends from around the world! This ancient festival, which was originally held as a commemoration of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, embodies the Chinese cultural values of warding off misfortune and fostering unity.

Fujian boasts a number of unique Dragon Boat Festival traditions. In Sanxi village of Fuzhou's Changle district, the spectacular nighttime dragon boat races have been held for over 600 years, with illuminated boats competing amid thunderous drumbeats. Along Quanzhou's coastline, locals celebrate with a distinctive "water-splashing" ritual at sea to pray for safety, while in the Wuyishan area, people craft colorful herbal sachets in hopes that it will bring them good health.

This festival season, we invite you to experience Fujian's cultural charm: savor zongzi while listening to piano melodies on Xiamen's Gulangyu Island, witness thrilling coastal dragon boat races in Ningde's Xiapu, or explore Hakka festival customs in Longyan's tulou earthen buildings. Let us cherish these precious cultural traditions together. Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Dragon Boat Festival!