Wuzhishan will host a series of events from May 31 to June 2 to celebrate the 2025 Dragon Boat Festival. The program combines traditional customs, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation, aiming to attract visitors looking for a mix of culture and nature during the holiday.
The festival is organized around four main themes: folk traditions, eco-tourism, local cuisine, and performing arts. Activities will highlight the culture of the Li and Miao ethnic groups, the region’s tropical rainforest landscape, and long-standing Dragon Boat Festival customs.
Downtown Wuzhishan and surrounding parks, including the banks of the Nansheng River and Xiaodao Park, will be decorated for the event. Visitors can take part in traditional games such as cuju (an ancient form of football), “shooting the five poisons” (a traditional act to ward off bad luck), and dragon boat-themed carnival games. Herbal foot baths will also be available, reflecting traditional wellness practices.
Dragon Boat Invitational
A key attraction is the annual Dragon Boat Invitational on the Nansheng River, featuring competitive races. In the evening, local artisans will perform the dramatic iron-flower display, a folk art that involves flinging molten metal into the air to create showers of sparks.
Interactive installations are also planned along the river. A water-screen projection system will allow visitors to use smart water guns to trigger light and sound effects in real time, blending traditional water play with modern digital elements.
Beyond the festival sites, Wuzhishan offers a range of nature-focused tourism options. Visitors can explore the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, go rafting in the Red Canyon, or visit the Yahou Terraced Fields, which showcase traditional Li agricultural practices.
“We want to go beyond passive viewing and offer experiences where people can take part in local life,” said a spokesperson from the Wuzhishan Tourism and Culture Bureau.
A full schedule of events and travel information is available on the official WeChat account by searching for “海南五指山旅游” (Hainan Wuzhishan Tourism).
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