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BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwujie, is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. And this year, it falls on today, June 20th. It's one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals, dating back thousands of years to commemorate the death of Chinese poet Qu Yuan, a patriotic writer and politician in the 3rd century B-C. As the name suggests, dragon boat racing is an integral part of the celebrations, but the activities are taking on a new spin this year.
Racing to the beat.
The boat races are a ritual that has lasted thousands of years, and a main draw at the annual festival celebrations.
The heat is on everywhere across the country, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, Hong Kong. And in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the traditional chase just got a little more interesting.
"It's really fun to see some new activities in the traditional Dragon Boat Festival this year," said a woman.
In Chongqing, people are wading into even more creative waters. Their dash is against ducks in the flesh.
"We're competing with the ducks...We have to swim faster than them to win," said a man.
Another festival classic is making and eating Zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.
In Chongqing's Kaixian County, a competition helped to spice things up. This group made 21 Zongzi in a set time, the winners of the day.
"I had never wrapped up Zongzi before. I have a lot of fun with my friends here today," said a woman.
Fun's also taking over this primary school in Jiangsu Province, where students spent their classes dressing up their eggs, and trying to out-bump each other's.
In regions south of the Yangtze River, this custom is done on the day of the festival to bear well wishes for a healthy and strong life.
The fight is fierce, and the winner takes home the blessing of a lucky year.
The Dragon Boat Festival has long been a time for people to rekindle ancient traditions, now with a little creativity, traditions can also take on modern fun.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
