Each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people across China celebrate Dragon Boat Festival, a vibrant folk tradition that blend sancestor worship, prayers for health and protection, festive gatherings, and delicious seasonal foods.

In Huangling,Dragon Boat Festival is rich with local customs and colorful rituals. The village comes alive with traditional activities such as eating rice cakes (qì gāo), hanging mugwort, weaving egg pouches, and wrapping zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves). These age-old practices reflect a deep connection to nature, health, and community.

On the day of the festival, every household decorates their doors with fragrant mugwort and sprinkles lime powder in the corners of their homes—believed to ward off insects and protect the family. In kitchens across the village, families gather toboil salted duck eggs, steam soft rice cakes, and wrap zongzi filled with savory or sweet ingredients. Meanwhile, colorful egg pouches, crafted from bright threads and used to hold boiled eggs, are a fun and symbolic gift for children.

As evening falls, the community gathers in the Ancestral Hall Square for captivating cultural performances, including the Crane Dance and the mesmerizing Plank Dragon Lantern Show. These lively displays bring the spirit of the festival to life and offer visitors a glimpse into Huangling’s rich intangible cultural heritage.

Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival in Huangling—a unique opportunity totaste tradition, join in local customs, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of ancient Chinese culture.