In the heart of Guangzhou’s Shipai Village, ancient traditions meet modern energy as locals celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with zongzi-making and dragon boat races – proving cultural roots run deep even in fast-paced China. 🌾
A Taste of History
Since 2023, the village has turned zongzi (sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) into edible emojis of community love. Volunteers gather annually to craft thousands of these triangle-shaped treats, sharing them with neighbors to spread blessings. CGTN’s Sumitra Nydoo and team recently joined the action, kneading rice and laughing over folded leaves like pros. 🍙✨
Passing the Torch
"It’s not just about food – it’s about keeping our stories alive," says a local elder teaching kids to tie zongzi strings. From dragon boat drills on the Pearl River to TikTok tutorials on folding techniques, Shipai’s youth are rewriting tradition for the Instagram age. Think K-pop choreography meets 2,000-year-old rituals. 🛶💨
As China modernizes, villages like Shipai show how cultural heritage isn’t fading – it’s evolving. After all, what’s more Gen-Z than a dragon boat selfie? 📸🐲
