This year’s Dragon Boat Festival isn’t just about racing—it’s a vibrant mashup of tradition and innovation! CGTN hosts Julian and Leonie kicked off the celebrations with a deep dive into the festival’s cultural roots, blending ancient rituals with modern twists that’ll make you rethink your zongzi cravings. 🎏
🍙 Xinjiang Meets Zongzi: A Flavor Revolution
At a Beijing restaurant, a Uygur chef taught the duo how to wrap zongzi with a creamy twist: Xinjiang yogurt and honeyed fruits! Think of it as the ‘Taylor’s Version’ of the classic rice dumpling—same heart, bold new flavor. 🍯
⚡ Drift Like a Pro in Foshan
Ever seen a dragon boat drift at 40 km/h? The Diejiao race in Guangdong turned paddling into a high-speed art form, proving tradition can be as thrilling as a TikTok trend. 🚤💨
🌿 Herbal Coffee & Acupuncture 101
Leonie sipped Tong Ren Tang’s herbal coffee (yes, that’s ginseng in your latte!), while Julian tried acupuncture with Prof. Wang Lepeng—because why not zen out like a Ming dynasty scholar? ☕️✨
Singapore’s Dragon Boat Hustle
From Beijing to Singapore, reporter Miro Lu joined a local team training under skyscrapers, showing how this 2,000-year-old festival unites Gen Z worldwide. 🌏🤝
