🐉Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan: Tradition, Teamwork, and Tasty Zongzi

easyta
May 29, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Every year, Taiwan comes alive with the sound of beating drums, the sight of racing boats, and the smell of delicious sticky rice dumplings. This is Dragon Boat Festival — known in Mandarin as Duanwu Jie (端午節) — one of the most vibrant and culturally rich celebrations in Taiwan.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, experiencing this traditional festival is a must. Let’s explore what makes the Dragon Boat Festival so special in Taiwan.

📅 When is the Dragon Boat Festival?

The festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, usually in late May or June. In 2025, it will be celebrated on May 31st.

🐉 Why Do We Celebrate It?

The most famous story behind the festival is the legend of Qu Yuan, a loyal poet and minister in ancient China. When he drowned himself in despair over his country’s corruption, villagers raced out in boats to save him or retrieve his body — beating drums to scare away evil spirits and throwing zongzi (粽子) into the river to keep fish from eating him.

Today, the festival honors his loyalty and spirit through dragon boat races and zongzi-making traditions.

🚣‍♂️ Dragon Boat Races: Speed and Spirit

Where to Watch:

Dajia Riverside Park, Taipei
Love River, Kaohsiung
Anping Canal, Tainan
Hualien River

🍙 Zongzi: A Festival Favorite

No Dragon Boat Festival is complete without eating zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves. Each region in Taiwan has its own twist — from savory pork belly and peanuts to sweet red bean or taro fillings.

If you’re in Taiwan during the festival, don’t miss these popular spots:

Nanmen Market in Taipei – famous for traditional zongzi
Local family-run stalls – often offer homemade, secret-recipe dumplings

Some modern stores even sell fusion zongzi with ingredients like cheese, kimchi, or curry chicken!

🌟 Tips for Travelers

Plan ahead: Book accommodations early if you're visiting big cities during the festival.
Try making zongzi: Some cultural centers and hostels offer workshops.
Hydrate and protect from sun: Races happen under the hot summer sun.
Join the fun: Some places allow visitors to participate in boat races or local games.