Move over sand dunes – Dubai just added dragon boats to its cultural mix! The Dragon Boat Festival, recognized by UNESCO as China’s first intangible cultural heritage, took center stage at the iconic Dubai Mall this week. Organized by China Media Group Middle East, the three-day event transformed the mall’s Chinatown into a vibrant hub of tradition and cross-cultural connection. 🛍️✨
Visitors tried their hand at calligraphy, crafted aromatic sachets, and folded delicate paper-cut dragon boats – all while learning about the festival’s 2,000-year-old legacy of honoring poet Qu Yuan. 🌾📜 'We’re blending history with modern global appeal,' said a CMG organizer, noting how the lantern-making workshops became instant Instagram hits. 📸
The event drew both curious travelers and homesick members of Dubai’s Chinese community. 'My kids finally understand why we eat zongzi [rice dumplings] every year,' laughed one parent from Shanghai, holding up a child-made dragon boat lantern. 🧧👨👩👧
