What is Hiding in Zhouzhuang during the Dragon Boat Festival?

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duan Yang, which translates to “Upright Sun” or “Double Fifth”, is one of China’s four major traditional festivals.

It is an event of both reunions and rituals. Join us this summer as we embark on a journey of micro-tourism to Zhouzhuang, the Jiangnan water town. Discover its hidden secrets during this special festival.

Part 1

A Custom Hiding on Water

The Intangible Cultural Heritage of Boat Racing

Boats are unique to water towns.

Ancient Zhouzhuang was a town surrounded by waters, necessitating people to use boats to travel to and from this town.

In 2011, Zhouzhuang Boat Racing was designated as an extension project of Suzhou’s intangible cultural heritage. Boat racing is a must-see folklore performance held during the Dragon Boat Festival in the water town. “A Lifestyle Named Zhouzhuang” is another traditional event related to boat racing.

According to the Zhouzhuang Town Chronicles, boat racing has been a folk custom since the Qing Dynasty. It is always held during festivals, harvest celebrations, and other auspicious occasions to add a sense of ceremony.

This activity has specific requirements. In the traditional blowing and percussion music piece “Five Loong Boats and Water Gongs,” five people row large oars while four row shorter ones. This creates a dynamic and impressive scene, with boats moving fast amid the strikingly loud sound of golden drums. 

Part 2

A Custom Hiding in the Folk

Traditional Forehead Painting Conveys the Best Blessings

Applying realgar wine to the forehead is a tradition during the Dragon Boat Festival, meaning to convey good wishes.

It is said that applying realgar wine to a child’s forehead can repel poisonous insects. In addition, drawing the Chinese character wang (which means “king” in Chinese) symbolizes the suppression of evil with the tiger, thereby bringing peace and good fortune.

During the festival, some people dress up exquisitely as Zhong Kui, a Taoist deity from Chinese mythology traditionally known for vanquishing ghosts and evil beings. They also paint the foreheads of children in front of the ancient archway to convey the blessings that have endured for thousands of years.

Part3

A Custom Hiding in the Mouth

Cuisine Inheritance of the Dragon Boat Festival

are hung on the door, it marks the beginning of the Dragon Boat Festival rituals in the water town.

They are not only visible in the streets and alleys but also tasted in our mouths. 

In the Jiangnan region, it is customary to eat the “five yellows” during the Dragon Boat Festival. This term refers to five ingredients, each with the prefix “yellow” in Chinese. 

They include cucumber, swamp eel, yellow croaker, salted egg yolk, and realgar wine. Consuming these foods is believed to eliminate the “five poisons” and bring good fortune.

Steamed Yellow Croaker, Stewed Swamp Eel with Garlic, Cucumber and Egg Dumplings, and Wansan Realgar Wine—these delicacies bring new interpretations to traditional concepts and are now all available at Shen's Hall Restaurant.

Reservation hotline: 0512-57211848

Intangible Cultural Heritage Customs Last Thousands of Years 

“Experience the Song Dynasty’s Dragon Boat Festival in Zhouzhuang” is a holiday event held in Zhouzhuang where tourists can personally experience the festival's unique rituals in every street and alley.