The annual Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Tuen Ng Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. There are different stories about the origin of this festival: one is that they are meant to commemorate the death of a Chinesenational hero named Qu Yuan. Others say it is to honour the dragon that rules the water world. The myth says that after the dragon boats have sailed in the water, the water is blessed and people can swim there to stay healthy for the rest of the year. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people celebrate by eating sticky rice dumplings, drinking, partying, and of course, watching the exciting and highly competitive dragon boat races. The first dragon boat race was held in Hong Kong in 1976. Nowadays this sport is not only popular in Asia but also in other continents, like Europe, America and Australia. Now Dragon Boat Festivals are celebrated all over the world, but the most exciting and authentic celebration is definitely in Hong Kong. The Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong will take place on June 2. For more information, go to www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/highlight-events/dragon-boat-carnival.jsp
