Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival With These Four Holiday Events

It's that time of the year again! Whether you are a paddle-mad boat fiend or prefer to sit back and nibble on dense and sticky pyramids of rice, here's how to make the most of your Dragon Boat Festival in Beijing. 

Friday, Jun 7

Make Zongzi in a Hutong Courtyard
Hidden in a neighborhood hutong near Dongsi, 27 Yard hosts a variety of culture-focused events, and this zongzi-making workshop promises to be a good one. Not only will they use edible herbs to color the sticky rice via a traditional dying method technique originating from the Buyi minority group, but they'll also teach you how to perfectly wrap your rice with a bamboo leaf to ensure moisture doesn't escape during steaming. Click here to reserve your spot. RMB 320, RMB 560 (for two, including all materials). 10am-midday. 27 Yard
 

Friday, Jun 7

Dragon Boat Festival Party
This festival weekend event is organized by the cross-cultural communication center of the University of Chinese Academy of Science (UCAS), which aims to promote Chinese culture and traditions. It will start with an introduction about the origin of Dragon Boat Festival, followed by a bunch of related events including quiz games, a zongzi-making workshop, and other fun Dragon Boat Festival related crafts. Click here for more information and to sign up. RMB 20. 7-9pm. UCAS Yanqihu Campus
 

Friday-Sunday, Jun 7-9

Tianqiao Art Festival
The Tianqiao area used to be the main cultural hub of Beijing, and still carries a lively, arty vibe. In honor of Dragon Boat Festival, the Tianqiao Performing Art Center is organizing three days of events, ranging from traditional shows like Peking opera, acrobatics, and shadow plays to lectures and storytelling with a specific traditional Beijing customs angle, as well as DIY sections where you will be able to try your hands on making zongzi, traditional fans, and more. Click here for the detailed schedule of the activities. Free. 10am-5pm. Tianqiao Performing Arts Center
 

Saturday, Jun 15

Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament
After the success of last year's inaugural event, the Nordic Dragon Boat Tournament returns to Tongzhou. This year, 20 teams from the Nordic community in Beijing compete against each other for the title of Nordic Champion. Putting aside the fact that the only traditional Chinese dragon boat race conducted in the city this weekend (to our knowledge) is by a bunch of Vikings, this looks to be a lot of fun. Spectators can follow the exciting race while enjoying breakfast, and get familiar with the sport of dragon boating while cheering for and supporting their favorite team. Click here for more information and to sign up. RMB 100, includes breakfast and transportation or free if you arrange your own transport. 9am-1pm. The Grand Canal in Tongzhou

Want to cut shapes on the dancefloor this weekend? Get your nightlife itinerary, right here.

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Email: kuang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos courtesy the organizers