Record-breaking number of travelers: Dragon Boat Festival attracts millions!

Record-breaking number of travelers: Dragon Boat Festival attracts millions!

On May 31, 2025, the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival), one of the country's four most important traditional festivals, will be celebrated across China. The National Immigration Authority (NIA) is expecting a huge surge in travel during this festive season. The period from May 30 to June 1 is particularly significant as it coincides with Children's Day on June 1 and a subsequent weekend. This results in an estimated average of 2.15 million cross-border trips per day, an increase of 12.2 percent compared to last year, reports Xinhua.

Particularly high waves of travel are expected on June 1st, which is likely to pose challenges for airports and transport connections. Shanghai Pudong International Airport expects around 100,000 border crossings every day. Other regions such as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau will host several dragon boat races and events during the celebrations, popular among locals and tourists alike.

Traditional celebrations and customs

The Dragon Boat Festival has a history of over 2,000 years and is celebrated not only in China but also in other Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Taiwan. Key celebrations include dragon boat races and culinary traditions, including eating zongzi, sticky rice dumplings reminiscent of the poet Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan is considered a patriotic figure who emerged in 278 BC. took her life in the Miluo River to protest against the injustice of her time.

The dragon boats, which are typically between 20 and 35 meters long and require 30 to 60 paddlers, are used for the races. During the holiday, people also enjoy traditional customs such as hanging Chinese mugwort, drinking realgar wine to ward off illness, and carrying perfume bags prepared by parents for their children, reports China tours.

Protective measures and challenges

As in previous years, the Dragon Boat Festival will also cause many famous attractions to be crowded and transportation may sell out. Preparations in major cities are already in full swing to deal with the expected rush of travelers. People in China often wish for “Safe and Healthy Dragon Boat Festival” (Duānwǔjié ānkāng) during this period and hope for a positive experience during this cultural celebration.

With the festival approaching on May 31st, the anticipation of the dragon boat race and the many customs associated with it is in full swing. The celebrations, which take place in different regions of the country, not only provide a glimpse into China's rich traditions, but also promote community spirit and cultural identity.