Summer Fun events 2009 Jun 4, 2009
Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival: Samuel Meyers Park, 1 11th St., Racine. Approximately 70 teams of 25 people will paddle decorated dragon boats for prizes. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
* No honor in story of celebrated suicide Jun 3, 2009
Dragon Boat Festival was originally a day to dispel disease in the summer ... Today, Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and Moon Festival are all important holidays in Chinese culture. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Festival boosts department stores Jun 3, 2009
Most department stores in Taipei reported stronger sales during the four-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday than during the same time last year, which was seen by retailers as a sign of improving consumer confidence ... Shin Kong Mitsukoshis biggest competitor, Pacific Sogo Department Stores Co (vRf), said yesterday that its Taipei stores, excluding the new Tianmu () branch, saw sales grow 20 percent compared with the Dragon Boat Festival last year. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Taiwan News Quick Take Jun 1, 2009
The Chinese-language newspaper reported on Saturday that a certain rich KMT legislator had given colleagues phones valued at NT$3,000 as gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival. KMT Legislator Chang Sho-wen (i) said he had received a phone from Ho, but the present had nothing to do with the upcoming committee election. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Chinese shares surge 3.36% to 10-month high Jun 1, 2009
36 percent Monday, the first trading day after the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival that fell on Thursday, driving the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index to a nearly 10-month new high since early August last year. The Shanghai Composite Index gained 3. (Xinhuanet, China)
Why does Zongzi become tasteless? Jun 1, 2009
Due to rapid economic growth, the snack of glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves that we used to eat only once a year during the Duanwu Festival, also known as Dragon Boat Festival, can now be bought at any supermarket, anytime of the year. We don't have to wait 12 months to eat another zongzi. (Xinhuanet, China)
* Toll-free measures mitigate traffic pain during long holiday Jun 1, 2009
The Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau said the toll-free measure implemented on freeways on the last day of the four-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday yesterday had helped ease daytime traffic. The toll-free hours between 12am and 7am yesterday helped draw an estimated 240,000 motorists to hit the road early, the bureau said, which was 1. (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Asia gains for fourth week in five May 31, 2009
The market was closed on Thursday and Friday for the prolonged Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Other regional markets on Friday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* Sunny weather but long lines as more people take a break May 30, 2009
Cars lined up for about 20km near the southbound lanes of Hsuehshan Tunnel yesterday as the nation entered the second day of the four-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau said that traffic started to form inside the Hsuehshan Tunnel at about 7:30am, which in turn slowed down traffic outside the tunnel. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
China lifts quarantine on 24 Americans May 30, 2009
Because the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival fell on Thursday this year, the official also gave them "zongzi" to eat, or glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, a tradition of the festival, the newspaper said. They are scheduled to leave China on Saturday. (Xinhuanet, China)
Pandas add holiday joy to Guiyang citizens May 30, 2009
BEIJING, May 29 -- A couple of pandas named "Zhu Zhu" and "Le Shui", on Thursday arrived at the Zhazuo Forest Zoo in Guiyang, capital of southwestern Guizhou Province, just in time for the Dragon Boat Festival. Soundbite: Child vistor "We got up at 6 o'clock and set off at 7:00 this morning." Du Juan, Guiyang citizen "Earlier news reports said it would take some time for Zhu Zhu and Le Shui to adapt to the new environment. But I thought it was unnecessary because the climate here was quite... (Xinhuanet, China)
* Diabetics warned about festival treats May 29, 2009
Eating zongzi (l), or glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, is a traditional part of the Dragon Boat Festival, but nutritionists are warning diabetics to keep in mind that the holiday treats can contain up to 500 calories each. Zongzi usually contain glutinous rice, peanuts, egg yolk, chestnuts, pork, mushrooms, tiny shrimp and other ingredients depending on family traditions or individual preferences. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Infotainment May 29, 2009
Celebrating the Dragon Boat FestivalBeijing: Performers hold lanterns during a performance celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival. ap. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
China's economy regulator denies fuel price hike May 29, 2009
The official who declined to be named told Xinhua the country would not increase prices for gasoline and diesel during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival period starting from Thursday. But he said it is "hard to say" whether the price would be increased in June. (Xinhuanet, China)
Poet Qu Yuan remembered during Duanwu Festival May 29, 2009
WUHAN, May 28 (Xinhua) -- China has submitted an application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to nominate the Dragon Boat Festival as an intangible cultural heritage. The application was submitted to the UNESCO by central China's Hubei province on behalf of nation, upon approval by the Ministry of Culture and the national intangible cultural heritage protection center, said Hubei officials here Wednesday. (Xinhuanet, China)
* Taipei exodus marks start of long weekend May 29, 2009
DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL: People who plan to go swimming at the countrys 12 most popular beaches will be able to enjoy superior water quality, a recent survey showed By Shelley Shan and Meggie Lu STAFF REPORTERS Friday, May 29, 2009, Page 1 ... While hundreds of thousands of travelers hit the road on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday yesterday, Taipei Railway Station and Songshan Airport were also packed with holidaymakers ... Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau traffic... (Taipei Times, Taiwan)
* Kinmen distributes liquor vouchers to all residents May 29, 2009
Earlier this year, the Kinmen County Council passed a resolution to issue three liquor vouchers with a face value of NT$3,600 each to all 85,000 Kinmen residents and immigrant spouses with Alien Resident Certificates, regardless of age, on Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival with money donated by Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor (KKL). The vouchers can be exchanged for liquor produced by KKL.. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Flu scare chills China's holiday tourism May 28, 2009
The traditional Dragon Boat Festival begins Thursday, when the Chinese eat sticky rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaves and watch dragon boat matches to mark the death Qu Yuan, one of China's most famous poets. But the three-day holiday has prompted fewer people this year to travel abroad as more than 12,000 cases of A/H1N1 flu have been reported around the world. (Xinhuanet, China)
* FEATURE : Green dragon boating tradition offers Ilan family more than one way to grow May 28, 2009
For most families in Taiwan, celebrating Dragon Boat Festival is a weeklong event that involves cooking buckets of glutinous rice, braising pieces of fatty pork, mushrooms and chestnuts, and wrapping them in bamboo leaves to make pyramid-shaped treats called zongzi (l) ... Since 2004, Shens family has been participating in The Green Dragon Boat Festival competition, an 11-year tradition hosted by the Hualien Environmental Protection Bureau ... Speaking of their inspiration, she said:... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
Asian stocks ease on nagging US debt woes May 28, 2009
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong and Chinese markets were closed on Thursday for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. US home sales picked up in April, but the positive sign was outweighed by worries that the US government was incurring too much debt as it tries to spend its way out of recession, sending Treasury prices falling along with stocks. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Asia stocks ease on US eco worries May 28, 2009
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong and Chinese markets were closed on Thursday for the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. The main indexes in South Korea fell 0. (India Times)
China nominates Duanwu Festival for UNESCO list May 28, 2009
China nominates Dragon Boat Festival as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage_English_Xinhua. China nominates Dragon Boat Festival as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage ... Two foreign children learn making Zongzi, a cone-shaped food with glutinous rice stuffed with assorted tasty fillings wrapped in fresh bamboo or reed leaves to be cooked by steaming or boiling, as the foreign experts and their family members were invited to a gathering with their Chinese counterparts to spend a happy Duanwu,... (Xinhuanet, China)
* Rivers pass EPA inspections for boat races May 27, 2009
While water quality in rivers around the nation may not be good enough for people to swim in, most rivers are suitable for this weekends Dragon Boat Festival races, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday. Of the 19 locations that will host dragon boat competitions, 10 have River Pollution Indexes [RPI] that indicate intermediate pollution, two are mildly polluted, while seven are unpolluted, EPA Water Quality Protection Director--General Chen Hsien-heng (w)... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Row, row, row your Dragon Boat May 27, 2009
BEIJING, May 27 -- Parks, lakes and rivers around the country will be alive with the sounds of drummers pounding out furious beats and racers vigorously urging their dragon boats across the water tomorrow to celebrate the traditional Dragon Boat Festival (duanwujie). Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of every year, the Dragon Boat Festival is one of the countrys oldest festivals, dating back some 2300 years ... Zongzi, a type of rice dumpling eaten during the traditional... (Xinhuanet, China)
* EPA to accelerate pork inspection ahead of festival May 26, 2009
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday it would intensify efforts to prevent meat from diseased pigs from entering the market to allow for a clean and healthy Dragon Boat Festival this weekend ... And speaking about a 'happy and healthy' Dragon Boat Festival, wouldn't the children from Chao-liao elementary and middle schools like to have a happy festival as well, Pan said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Dragon boat race held to greet Dragon Boat Festival May 26, 2009
Chinese dragon boat athletes compete at an invitation race to welcome the Dragon Boat Festival, which is due on May 28, on a lake in Shanghai, east China, May 24, 2009. (Xinhua Photo). (People's Daily Online, China)
* The political plays behind May 17 May 26, 2009
However X and this may have been the result of behind-the-scene assistance from China X between Mothers Day and the Dragon Boat Festival, the Taiwanese stock market has made gains, temporarily easing some of the complaints from the middle class. Perhaps because the government is deliberately being vague about the contents of an economic agreement with China, or that it has used domestic opposition as a bargaining chip, but complaints that Taiwans sovereignty is being sacrificed X be it... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* [BUSINESS BRIEFS] May 26, 2009
Many investors seemed reluctant to keep holdings ahead of the upcoming long Dragon Boat Festival holiday, Concord Securities (dM) analyst Allen Lin said. The market will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the prolonged holiday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
* KMT legislator criticized over tea bought from brother May 25, 2009
Yang said she chose the tea as a Dragon Boat Festival gift for fellow caucus members because many people consider drinking tea healthy. She also said she had covered part of the cost with her own money. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Asian markets euphoric in wake of Indian elections May 24, 2009
Taiwanese share prices are expected to move in quiet trade next week ahead of a prolonged Dragon Boat Festival holiday, dealers said. Fears of possible negative news to emerge from foreign markets during the holiday are expected to drive investors in Taipei to the sidelines and drag down daily turnover, they said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Scent of Dragon Boat festival May 24, 2009
The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner and while the making of zongzi has been around for years, some mums still follow the custom of embroidering scent bags for their kids and other family members ... BEIJING, May 24 -- The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner and while the making of zongzi has been around for years, some mums still follow the custom of embroidering scent bags for their kids and other family members. (Xinhuanet, China)
* Bourse surges past 6,500 points May 19, 2009
Wang linked the adjustment to the fall on Wall Street, saying the TAIEX was likely to fluctuate between 6,300 points and 6,600 points before the Dragon Boat Festival on May 28. Investors seeking short-term profit may opt to adjust their portfolio, thereby pushing up selling pressure, Wang said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Holiday traffic plans unveiled May 18, 2009
Toll booths on all freeways will stop collecting fees between 12am and 7am on May 28 and May 31 as part of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) plans to ease traffic congestion during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Traditionally, the Dragon Boat Festival is on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Yale Crew Alums Travel To China For Longhu Cup International University Regatta May 18, 2009
The ceremonial regatta and the accompanying cultural exchange were both part of the opening festivities for Chengdu's 1300 year old traditional dragon boat festival, which features the Xinjin Dragon Boat Race on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month ... The annual dragon boat festival features performances and celebration, in addition the Xinjin Dragon Boat Race, in which 16 meter long boats of 22 people compete on a 1000 meter course. (Goyalebulldogs.com)
#54 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS May 15, 2009
HAPPENINGS For the 30th year, the Dragon Boat Festival hits the Charles June 6 & 7; the Fourth is celebrated big-time with Harborfest Boston (June 30-July 5). HOT TIP On sweltering days, head down to Long Wharf to catch the boat to Spectacle Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
* Chen returns to detention center May 13, 2009
Lee urged Chen to learn how historical figure [Chinese poet and minister] Qu Yuan (}) dedicated himself to his nation and people now that Chen has to spend the Dragon Boat Festival inside the detention center. The festival is partly held in commemoration of Qu. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
* Hordes of weekend hikers damaging Jiaming Lake May 12, 2009
Local police are worried that even more hikers plan to visit the lake during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday on May 28 and could cause more damage. Jiaming Lake, a 120m-diameter lake in Taitungs Haiduan Township (), is the biggest mountain lake in the Central Mountain Range. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
Up the lake with a paddle Mar 29, 2009
Arizona Dragon Boat Festival ... Lee, a clinical research coordinator for the Mayo Clinic, is a member of one of two teams the clinic is sponsoring at the 6th Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival on March 28-29 at Tempe Town Lake. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Local gov'ts asked to stick to national holidays plan Mar 26, 2009
The central government's holiday plan for 2009, which was publicized on Dec. 4 last year, maintained the May Day and three other traditional Chinese festivals--Tomb-sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-autumn Festival--three-day holidays. However, employers could make flexible schedules based on their employees' will to implement the Regulation on Paid Annual Leave for Employees which has come into force since Jan. 1, 2008, said an announcement by the State Council on Thursday. (Xinhuanet, China)
Dragon Boat Festival Recipes Mar 6, 2009
Summer brings the Dragon Boat Festival, named after elaborately carved rowboats which were raced on rivers and harbors. The origins of the 2,000 year-old festival remain obscured by time-some say it honors poet-statesman Qu Yuan, others tie it to fertility and harvest. (Suite101.com)
The Mile High City at rock-bottom prices Feb 22, 2009
In July, Sloan Lake northwest of downtown hosts an annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: Teams of paddlers from across the nation race to the beat of drums in celebration of a centuries-old Chinese tradition. parksandrecreation. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Downtown needs uptick in hours (27) Feb 17, 2009
Racine s Downtown now hosts a triathlon, a professional cycling race, a dragon boat festival, a St. Patrick s Day parade and other events. Now the grease can be applied to get the wheels cruising at the attractions that remain here every weekend. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Dragon Boat Festival celebrated home and abroad Feb 8, 2009
A local Chinese society, together with some Brazilian Chinese culture clubs, celebrated on Sunday the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on May 31 this year. (Xinhua Photo). (Xinhuanet, China -- China)
China celebrates Lantern Festival with lamps, flowers Feb 8, 2009
At the end of 2007 China rescheduled its national legal holidays, adding three traditional Chinese festivals, including the "Tomb-Sweeping Day," "Dragon Boat Festival" and "Mid-Autumn Festival," as legal holidays. Hence many advocated that people should enjoy a day off work during the Lantern Festival as well. (Xinhuanet, China)