With the Dragon Boat Festival arriving on June 10, markets in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, are buzzing with vibrant festival essentials—from fragrant zongzi (sticky rice dumplings 🌿) to lucky handmade bracelets and bouquets of aromatic mugwort. The star of the show? Triangular zongzi, stuffed with sweet red bean paste, savory meats, or nutty fillings, all wrapped in fresh bamboo leaves.
📜 The festival’s origins trace back over 2,000 years to the legend of Qu Yuan, a beloved poet who drowned himself to protest corruption. Locals tossed zongzi into rivers to protect his body from fish—a gesture that evolved into an annual tradition celebrating patriotism and resilience.
Today, zongzi flavors vary wildly across Asia, blending tradition with modern twists! From coconut-infused recipes in Thailand to Japan’s chimaki, this humble dumpling unites cultures—one delicious bite at a time. 🎋✨
