Duanwu Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese端午节, Pinyin Duānwǔjié ) falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month according to the traditional Chinese calendar, which is why it is also called "Festival of the Double Five ". In 2011 it fell to the June 6, 2012 to June 23 and 2013 it was held on June 12. In 2014 it will be held on June 2.

It includes not only the Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival of the three major festivals in China and is celebrated mainly in southern China.

Although the origin of the Dragon Festival is unknown, there is a legend according to the attempted rescue of Qu Yuan in the period of Warring States ( 475-221 BC) to go back, is said to have drowned himself in the river because of the injustice suffered Miluo Jiang. The very vibrant and colorful festival is considered as a reminder of this event.

On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, a Dragon Boat Regatta is organized. Dragon Boat races have in China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, a long tradition and have been introduced in China's neighboring countries such as Japan and Vietnam. Dragon boat races are not only limited mainly to the Asian region, but are held internationally.

At the Dragon Boat Festival also zongzi (Chinese粽子) are eaten. These are reminiscent of the rice dumplings, which are said to have thrown into the river so that the fish do not eat the body of Qu Yuan. These zongzi are dumplings made of glutinous rice (Chinese糯米, Pinyin nuòmǐ ), wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, with various fillings such as dates, sweet bean paste, ham, shrimp, peanuts and egg yolk.