With over 2,000 years of history, the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the oldest festivals in China. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month each year - making it land anywhere between late May to late June depending on the lunar calendar. According to legend, the Dragon Boat Festival is said to commemorate the Chinese poet Qu Yuan. On the day of the festival, you can say, “端午安康!” (Duānwǔ ānkāng!) which means, “I wish you health for Dragon Boat Festival!”

Have students examine the pictures on Resource Sheet: Dragon Boat Festival Photo Gallery . Use Project Zero’s See, Think, Wonder activity to ask and answer questions about the images.

Watch Jiaxing professionals show how to wrap a perfect Zongzi to learn more about zongzi, a traditional Dragon Boat Festival dish. Discuss the festival foods that are often eaten to celebrate Dragon Boat Festival, including zongzi. Ask students if they would prefer to eat sweet or salty zongzi and why.

Have students complete the Resource Sheet: Dragon Boat Festival Zongzi Matching Game with a partner. Please print off one page per student and provide them with scissors to cut their pages. Full instructions for students can be found on the resource sheet.