Dragon Boat Festival Tour Zhujiajiao

Last Saturday, June 16, we visited one of Shanghai’s most famous landmarks, Zhujiajiao（朱家角）. Zhujiajiao is also known as the Water Town or Pearl Streets Pavilion as the place is built with a river flowing through it.The history of Zhujiajiao dates all the way back to the Qing and Ming dynasty. Many of the food, houses, and customs root from the traditions of those dynasties. Even 1700 years ago, Zhujiajiao had an overwhelming population with large crowds trading, selling, and buying goods. Even today, tourists all over the country and locals visit the water town to experience the authentic Chinese food and culture.

When we went there, we first completed a scavenger hunt. In the scavenger hunt, we had to find places with zongzi(sweet and sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaf), zharou(bamboo wrapped steamed pork), stinky tofu and more! At every destination we would take a group photo with the product we found.

In addition to the scavenger hunt, we were also able to walk around and try antique Chinese street foods as well as go shopping.

My favorite part of this excursion was riding the boat. My friends and I had a photo shoot on the boat because the scenery of the town was so beautiful. We went under many bridges and saw a couple women dressed in traditional Chinese clothing taking photo shoots.

Zhujiajiao is still flourishing with tourists, street food, antiques, and locals ever since the Ming and Qing dynasty.

Yesterday I experienced the Dragon Boat festival with my host family. We all got up early, ate a large breakfast, than got in the car to head to a lake at which there would be dragon boat races. Because myself and my host brother and sister had the day off from school, we went as a family to participate in activities, view the dragon boat races, and see a variety of performances.

Before the races my host brother and I went from station to station playing quick rounds of basketball, dribbling triangular balls, jumping rope, and rowing on erg machines. Afterward, we managed to find a spot to view The races which were fast paced and sometime a little hectic. Sometimes one of the boats would veer off course; during one race a boat even flipped over. Certain boats were filled with a variety of people from old men to young women, while other boats where comprised of business associates, and competitive rowers.  I thought the races were quite interesting and tons of people came to spectate the event.I was reminded of the Fourth or July that I celebrated in the United States; however, instead of  watching fireworks we watched boat races.
Overall, I found the Dragon Boat Festival to be full of adventure, Chinese culture, and a great way to spend my day off from school!

Heine Kim 金惠潾（Chicago,Niles North high school）

Holden Zerega 张汉文（Connecticut, Chate Rosemary Hall）