 Chinese people across the country are joining in various activities to celebrate the Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival.
Before taking part in the activities, one minute's silence was observed for the Sichuan quake victims.
In Sichuan's capital city Chengdu, local residents participated in the Hakka water dragon gala, where kids from the quake-hit regions enjoyed the festivities.
In Shanghai, many foreigners dressed in traditional Chinese styles, listened to the legendary stories of the Duanwu Festival, and learned to make zongzi.
Zongzi, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves in the shape of pyramid, have long been associated with the Duanwu Festival. And eating Zongzi has been one of the traditions on the occasion.
Here is an overseas Spanish student in Shanghai:
"It's really interesting. I got to know Chinese culture better by taking part in these activities."
The Duanwu festival is on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. For centuries, it has been celebrated to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet from the Warring States Period more than 2,000 years ago. The poet drowned himself on this day in despair over his country's future.
This year's Duan Wu festival falls on Sunday. It is also the first Duan Wu since it was made a statutory holiday in China a few months ago.
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