The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (May 31–June 2, 2025), is one of China’s most vibrant cultural events. In Shanghai, this festival transforms into a dynamic blend of ancient rituals and contemporary festivities. From adrenaline-pumping dragon boat races to lavender fields and Michelin-starred feasts, Shanghai offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for international visitors. Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival in Shanghai!
🌿 Origins & Customs
Rooted in ancient China over 2,000 years ago, the Dragon Boat Festival honours the patriotic poet Qu Yuan and symbolises the fight against evil and disease. Qu Yuan drowned himself to protest corruption. Locals raced boats in an attempt to save him and threw zongzi (rice dumplings) into the rivers in an attempt to protect his body. These actions have evolved into today's dragon boat races and culinary traditions. His loyalty remains central to the spirit of the festival. Recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, the festival's customs include dragon boat racing, eating zongzi (rice dumplings), hanging mugwort and calamus for purification, and wearing scented sachets to repel pests. In Shanghai, families also eat 'Five Yellows' (黄鳝yellow eels, 黄鱼yellow fish, 黄瓜cucumbers, 咸蛋黄salted egg yolks and 雄黄酒yellow wine) for good health and hang tiger-shaped charms to ward off misfortune.
🎉 How Locals Celebrate
Shanghai blends tradition with urban vibrancy:
Dragon Boat Races 龙舟竞渡
Dragon boat races are the event's hallmark, featuring long, colourful boats that are rowed by teams to the beat of drums. The races symbolise unity, strength and remembrance. Spectators gather on the riverbanks to cheer on the teams, and the rhythmic drumming and synchronised paddling create an exhilarating atmosphere. Born to honour the poet Qu Yuan, teams row vibrant, dragon-shaped boats to the beat of the drums! It's all about synchronisation, speed and shouting – a 2,000-year-old tradition turned adrenaline-packed spectacle.
Songjiang District 15th Dragon Boat Race
Date : May 31, 2025
Location : Huating Lake, Songjiang District
Features : Free entry. Teams compete in elaborately decorated boats, accompanied by traditional songs and drumbeats.
Qingpu District 19th Dragon Boat Open
Date : May 31, 2025
Location : Shuichengmen Water Area, Qingpu District
Features : A mix of professional races and cultural performances. Free to watch.
Hengshan Road 8 Heritage Market
Free entry. Experience非遗 (intangible cultural heritage) crafts like sachet-making and traditional粽子 wrapping. Live folk music and jazz performances add to the vibe.
Dates : May 31–June 2, 2025
Location : Hengshan Road 8, Xuhui District
🍙 Culinary Delights
1.Premium Zongzi-Sweet and Salty Festive Souls
To commemorate Qu Yuan's casting into the river, the ancients wrapped glutinous rice in bamboo leaves and threw them into the river, which evolved into today's dumplings. Shanghai's zongzi are characterized by “thick oil and red sauce,” and are often filled with savory fillings such as fresh meat, egg yolks and chestnuts.
五芳斋 Wu Fang Zhai
Chinese long-established brand, transparent kitchen to show the process of wrapping zongzi, provide English version of zongzi filling illustration.
- Classic fresh meat dumplings: fat and lean pork simmered for 4 hours (¥12)
- Osmanthus Bean Paste Rice Dumpling: Suzhou Xishan red beans + Guangxi golden cinnamon (¥10)
- Crayfish Rice Dumpling: net red hit, limited to 100 per day (¥25)
Address: 469 Nanjing Road East, Huangpu District
Opening hours: 7:00-21:00 (extended to 23:00 during Dragon Boat Festival)
弄堂粽阿婆 Grandma Longtang Rice Dumplings
70-year-old grandma cooks rice dumplings in a Shikumen alleyway, reservation available for dumpling making (¥30/person)
- Hidden menu:
Rice Dumplings with Bean Curd and Pork: Exclusive Shanghai secret recipe (¥18) - Mugwort Bean Paste Rice Dumplings: glutinous rice mixed with mugwort juice (¥15)
Address: No. 3, Lane 28, Yongkang Road, Xuhui District
Tips: Cash only, may be sold out after 14:00 daily.
2."Five Yellow Banquet - A Seasonal Feast to Ward Off Evil and Promote Good Fortune
Old Shanghai emphasized eating “five yellows” at the Dragon Boat Festival - yellow fish, eel, cucumber, salted egg yolk, and xionghuang wine, taking “five yellows” to mean “five kings” and “five kings”. "It means to drive away evil spirits, avoid poison, and strengthen the body.
老正兴菜馆Lao Zhengxing Cuisine
- Steamed June Yellow Croaker: The seasonal wild yellow croaker of the Dragon Boat Festival, with tender and delicious meat (¥198/strip).
- Eel Paste with Hot Oil: Shredded eel with secret sauce, served with hot oil (¥88)
- Xionghuang Wine: a modified version of non-alcoholic herbal wine for foreign tourists (¥15/cup)
Per capita consumption: ¥80-150
Address: 556 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu District
Tips: Reserve a window seat 3 days in advance for a view of the Old City Hall.
🌍 Cultural Immersion
Modern twists on tradition thrive:
Hanfu Nights @ Zhujiajiao : Glide through water towns in ancient attire during “汉风奇妙夜”.
- Eco-Friendly Pop-Ups : Create biodegradable crafts at Huaihai Road’s Environmental π event (June 1–15)
- Interactive Exhibits : Pompidou Center’s Picasso-Kandinsky show at West Bund Museum (until 2026).
Pro Tips
Transportation : Shanghai's metro system is efficient and tourist-friendly. Consider purchasing a transportation card for convenience.
Language : While major attractions have English signage, learning basic Mandarin phrases can enhance your experience.
Weather : Expect temperatures around 25–30°C; light clothing recommended.
Shanghai’s Dragon Boat Festival is where millennia-old traditions meet urban chic. Whether you’re racing across lakes, savoring gourmet delights, or crafting sachets under lavender skies, this festival promises unforgettable memories. Come immerse yourself in the heartbeat of China’s cultural capital!
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