Dragon-boat celebrations begin in earnest at Yuyuan malls
A heritage master shows visitors how to make zongzi, or traditional glutinous rice dumplings, at Yuyuan Garden Malls for the annual Dragon-boat Cultural Festival in Shanghai on June 1, 2018.
Visitors are invited to learn to make zongzi, or traditional glutinous rice dumpling, and perfume sachets at Yuyuan Garden Malls during its annual Dragon-boat Cultural Festival that started on Friday.
Several small workshops have been set up at the central plaza and other spots at the malls where traditional handicraft masters will perform and teach visitors how to make zongzi and sachets, an iconic food and ornament for the Dragon-boat Festival that falls on June 18 this year.
A performer performs luoxi, or mask dancing, an ancient regional opera originating in central Henan province, at Yuyuan Garden Malls in Shanghai on June 1, 2018.
A performer performs the rite of "five toxic insects shooting," an ancient dragon boat festive celebration, at Yuyuan Garden Malls in Shanghai on June 1, 2018.
The monthlong celebration at the malls also includes performances of traditional rites. Dancers dressed in hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han people, performed ancient festive celebrations at an opening ceremony for the cultural festival on Friday.
“The event is aimed at helping residents better understand traditional Chinese cultures and contribute to its heritage,” according to Yuyuan Inc, the owner of the Yuyuan Garden Malls.
A small workshop is set up at the central plaza of the Yuyuan Garden Malls, where traditional handicraft masters perform and teach visitors how to make zongzi and sachets.
Many traditional sachets filled with herbs and with various medical effects are displayed at Yuyuan Garden Malls on Friday to celebrate the coming Dragon-boat Festival that falls on June 18 this year.
A number of local heritage skills such as paper-cutting, woodcut paintings, bamboo-weaving and mud sculptures are also being showcased within the workshops at the malls.
The malls released a new hand-drawn map showing all the popular attractions and eateries at the malls on Friday. Visitors can pick up the map for free at zongzi workshops, visitor service centers, Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse and book stores.
The Yuyuan Garden Malls — the dining and shopping facilities near historic Yuyuan Garden, originated from a prosperous market of the City God Temple some 140 years ago — plans to host a series of such cultural festivals by the end of the year. They will be themed on the City God culture, Chinese characters, costumes and gold to help revive traditional Chinese cultures.
