How do People Celebrate Tuen Ng Festival In Hong Kong?

The Tuen Ng Festival is also referred to as the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. In Mainland China, the name Duanwu Festival is also used. The festival is one of the busiest in Hong Kong and one of the most significant Chinese festivities on the lunar calendar. Every year, it is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It’s marked by the famous Dragon Boat Races, after which the celebration is named, and other activities like eating rice dumplings.

Keep reading to find out more about what this festival celebrates (its origin) and how one can participate in the festival in Hong Kong.

Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival

There are differing theories about the origin of the festival, but the most widely accepted one is about Chu Yuan, also written as Qu Yuan. The traditional Chinese legend has it that this Chinese poet and minister drowned himself in 278 BC to protest against the emperor. When people heard that he had drowned, they jumped into boats to search for him. Failing to find him, the people hit drums and made loud noises hoping to scare away the fish so that they won’t touch Chu Yuan. The people lived along the river and put cooked rice in the river as a sacrifice. However, realizing that the fish ate the rice, the rice was now wrapped in bamboo leaves. This is what evolved into the present-day rice dumplings.

How Hong Kongers celebrate Tuen Ng Festival 

The People in Hong Kong celebrate this public holiday in different following ways. Here are the most popular traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival:

1. Paying homage to Qu Yuan
2. Sampling rice dumplings on the morning of the festival for a late breakfast. They may sometimes be wrapped in rice paper or bamboo. The texture and flavor also vary, depending on the region.
3. Other culinary delights that grace the occasion include Mianshanzi, fried round cake, eggs steamed with tea, and pancakes that contain meat and mushrooms. Mianshanzi is a flour-based dish with a fan-like shape. It is vibrant and colorful in the manner of the Dragon boat festival.
4. Boat races take place across waterways as part of the festival. Many of these races come with prizes and medals. The dragon-headed canoes take the form of a traditional Chinese dragon and often get special paint and designs for the occasion; the fierce and vibrant colors used are reminiscent of the old war canoes. Drumbeats go with the movements of the ornately carved boats and fierce painted dragon heads and tails. The heavy drumming gets intense as the racers near the finish line.
5. After the races, it is considered good luck to “swim in the dragon boat water,” although generally, this may mean swimming in the sea. Some of the races are held near beaches, notably at Stanley Beach and the races on Lamma and Cheung Chau, which are adjacent to public beaches. This is a fun activity on what is usually a sweltering hot day.

Perfect Tuen Ng Festival Gift Hampers

We have the best hampers perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, corporate events, pre-dinner treats, or any other occasion or festival. These comprise a wide range of fresh fruits to be shared. Chose any of the three hampers listed below or browse through our website for more options;

• Gold Blossom Fruit Hamper with Shangri-La Rice Dumpling

A timeless Dragon Boat Festival choice, this hamper comes in a striking red gift box adorned with golden peony patterns. It features a premium Shangri-La Summer Palace rice dumpling, crafted with abalone, conpoy and organic pork belly for rich, savoury flavour.

Complemented by an abundant selection of seasonal fruits, the sweet, juicy produce pairs perfectly with the fragrant, glutinous rice dumpling. Elegant and thoughtfully curated, it’s ideal for sharing festive wishes with loved ones or business associates this Dragon Boat Festival.

• Sweet Dragon Boat Festival Hamper With Shangri-La Rice Dumpling

Vibrant and refreshing, this hamper features a colourful wave-patterned gift box that captures the lively spirit of Dragon Boat Festival. It includes a savoury Shangri-La rice dumpling with dried scallop, roasted pork and salted egg yolk, paired with premium fresh fruits like Japanese apples, mandarins and Korean crystal pears.

The bright, sweet produce balances the rich flavour of the dumpling, making it a light yet thoughtful choice for sharing with family and friends this festive season.

• Dragon Boat Festival Hamper with Shangri-La Rice Dumpling

Elegant and thoughtfully curated, this hamper blends festive charm with gourmet treats, housed in a refined woven basket with delicate Dragon Boat Festival ornaments. Centered around a savoury Shangri-La rice dumpling, it also includes Cartwright & Butler whole-leaf tea bags, French truffle chocolate and luxury afternoon tea biscuits.

Combining savoury, sweet and aromatic flavours, it offers both classic festival tastes and moments of indulgence. Sophisticated and unique, it’s the perfect choice for gifting to those who appreciate fine living this Dragon Boat Festival.

Note: Our hampers come with a complimentary Gift Hampers Hong Kong Message Card, and we offer free delivery to Hong Kong Metropolitan Areas.

Fun Facts About the Celebration of the Tuen Ng Festival

The Tuen Ng Festival is a lovely traditional occasion for gathering with family, friends and business partners. Here are some fun facts about this festival to help you learn more about its culture:

1. Alternative Names：The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, so it is also called the Double Fifth Festival. It has other names too, such as Double Noon Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Orchid Bath Festival. It started from ancient customs to ward off sickness and pray for blessings. As time went by, people began to observe the festival in memory of Qu Yuan, a well-loved patriotic poet. Classic traditions like eating rice dumplings and holding dragon boat races have been carried on for thousands of years.
2. The Close Bond with Dragon Culture：Dragons are an important part of this festival. Dragon boat racing is its most famous activity. In ancient times, people would honour the Dragon God on this day, praying for good weather and peace all year round. Today, dragon boat races are not just a competition, but also a great symbol of teamwork and solidarity.
3. Traditional Food & Blessing Customs：Eating zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) is a key part of the festival. Drinking realgar wine is another age-old tradition. People in the past believed it could keep insects away and prevent illnesses. People also hang mugwort and wear scented sachets. All these practices express sincere wishes for good health and happiness for the whole family.