Experience Taiwan's Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is a historic observance held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Taiwan marks this public holiday with traditional dragon boat races and sticky rice dumplings. Communities gather near rivers to celebrate heritage and ward off summer illness.
History and Origins
The holiday famously commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan of the Chu state during the Warring States period. Banished and in despair over the fall of his capital, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. Local residents raced boats to save him and threw rice dumplings into the water to keep fish away from his body.
Traditions and Zongzi
Dragon boat racing stands as the centerpiece of the celebration, featuring synchronized paddling to drumbeats. People also eat zongzi, which are pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves with various fillings. Hanging calamus and mugwort leaves near doorways is another common practice to ward off evil.
Public Closures and Travel
As a national public holiday in Taiwan, government offices, schools, and banks remain closed. Major tourist spots near racing venues experience heavy traffic congestion and large crowds. Travelers should book transportation and accommodation well in advance.
Questions About Taiwan's Dragon Boat Festival
When is the Dragon Boat Festival celebrated?
It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, usually occurring in late May or June.
What are the main foods eaten during the holiday?
People traditionally eat zongzi, which are pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings filled with ingredients like pork, mushrooms, and salted egg yolks.