Every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Shipai Village in Guangzhou transforms into a hub of color and flavor to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. Eating zongzi and racing dragon boats are at the heart of this centuries-old tradition.
Since 2023, the village has ramped up its festivities with community-driven zongzi-making and distribution events. Locals and visitors gather at long tables laden with bamboo leaves, glutinous rice and secret fillings, rolling up their sleeves to shape each triangular bundle by hand.
CGTN’s Sumitra Nydoo, Dai Kaiyi and Peter Oliver joined Shipai villagers to dive into the art of zongzi, learning from village elders and sharing good wishes across the crowd. The event not only feeds the stomach but also stitches generations together in a vivid narrative of cultural preservation.
On the water, dragon boat teams cut through the canal, drums echoing the heartbeat of tradition. University students, local paddlers and visiting travelers compete in boats painted with eyes, scales and vibrant motifs—symbols of strength and unity.
Through these rituals, Shipai Village is giving traditional culture new meaning under the Chinese mainland’s modernization journey. By opening its doors to young global citizens, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and digital nomads, the village turns a local festival into a shared experience that resonates across borders.
Whether you’re a sustainability advocate seeking community-driven events or a curious traveler craving authentic encounters, Shipai’s Dragon Boat Festival offers a refreshing blend of history, flavor and collective spirit—all wrapped up in a leaf.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
