5 Things to Do in Shanghai During the Dragon Boat Festival

Duan Wu Jie, the Dragon Boat Festival, commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a poet who lived between 340 B.C. and 278 B.C. In response to the corruption of the government, he threw himself in a river and committed suicide. He was well loved by the people, who went out onto the river in dragon boats, either to scare away the fishes or to try to recover his body – so the story goes. Thereafter, each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people would eat zongzi (bamboo wrapped rice dumplings) and race dragon boats to remember the poet.

This year Duan Wu Jie falls on the 5th June. Here are five ideas on how to get the most out of the Double Five holiday.

1. Get a Tattoo for Charity

The good people at BEAN are the masters of fun, thoughtful charity events. On June 5th you can join them at Shanghai Tattoo to raise money for girls’ education. ALL the funds raised on June 5th go towards the Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation (CWEF) girls’ scholarship programme. Visit the BEAN website for details and don’t forget to call Shanghai Tattoo to book ahead.

Find out more about getting a tattoo in Shanghai here.

1. Teach Your Kids to Write Poetry (or Let Someone Else)

Garden Books are hosting a poetry workshop in honour of Qu Yuan, the poet whom the Dragon Festival celebrates each year. Poet Paolo Borella will teach children (11 years and up) how to compose a poem for the festival. The event is free but places are limited so book early. Visit the Garden Books website for details. 

1. Get Out of Town

Get out of Shanghai and head to the quiet cool of Moganshan. OK Deal Club is running a two day, one night trip to Moganshan and the Xiazhhu Lake Wetlands for 690RMB. Leave Shanghai on Saturday 4th and return on Sunday 5th. All expenses included.

1. Do Something Cultural

Shanghai Centre is hosting Barrage, a group of Canadian violinists, on June 4th at 7:30pm. There will be jazz pieces, Celtic music, swing, and even a few traditional Chinese pieces. Tickets range from 80-580RMB. Visit this website to book..

June 4th will also see the opening of a new exhibition at MOCA, the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Tao of Nature will explore Taoism through the contemporary abstract work of 18 artists.
Thanks to Creative Hunt for the tip: Until June 6th head along to Ru-Wa Studio at 1025 Nanjing Xi Lu (1st floor, Bldg 81) and learn how to make zongzi sachet decorations. It costs 70 RMB for materials and tea. Call 6218 5859 or 139 1864 9945 or email jzmhome@yahoo.cn to reserve a place on the course.

I am assured by Chinese colleagues that making zongzi dumplings is very difficult so keep an eye out for the treats in restaurants and just enjoy them!

1. Watch a Dragon Boat Race

Wherever there’s a body of water, there should be races happening. The Shanghai Dragon Boat Association will certainly be holding an event at Thames Town in Songjiang on June 4th – but the announcement is only on the Chinese version of their site.

The students at Fudan University are certainly training for an event.

However, if in doubt, head to Suzhou Creek on June 6th. There is at least one event listed there, the 8th Suzhou Creek International Dragon Boat Race on this website. The Shanglong Dragonboat Club also list this event as well as a pretty cool sounding 35km Dragon Boat race from the Three Gorges Dam to Yichang. If you happen to be in the area, it might be worth checking out or getting involved in.

Resources:
Duan Wu Festival