Dragon Boat Festival

May 29, 2009 | Posted by Chris

Beginning yesterday and continuing to the 8th of June, Dragon Boat Festival celebrations will take place throughout Beijing, the China Youth Daily reports. The holiday, which commemorates the memory of an official who drowned himself to protest government corruption, is observed partly by large boat races. In addition to boat races, Beijing will also host temple fairs to celebrate the holiday in districts like Chongwen, Chaoyang and Dongcheng. According to tradition, observers also eat a special rice dumpling with red bean filling, known as zongzi, during festivities.