A cultural activity, themed "Dragon Boat Festival showcasing a flavor of China," was held in the House of Culture in Daxing district, Beijing, on June 16, two days before China’s Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.

The event, hosted by the Daxing Cultural Committee, brought together local families and international students in Beijing to join in colorful programs including making zongzi (pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves), painting and making sachets, as well as dragon boat dancing.

As one of the traditional Chinese festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival is observed with such customs as making zongzi, dragon boat racing, hanging calamus and the wearing sachets for good wishes and to drive off evil spirits.

At the event, people took part in sports activities including dragon boat dancing, throwing arrows into a pot from a distance and pulling a bow, the latter two being  ancient banquet entertainment programs.

The event was supported by cultural volunteers in Daxing and from Beijing Normal University who volunteered their time and effort to spread Chinese culture.