Holiday Notice: 2026 Dragon Boat Festival

Holiday Notice: 2026 Dragon Boat Festival

Dear All,

Please be informed that our office will be closed for the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节) holiday from June 19 (Friday) to June 21 (Sunday), 2026, totaling three days. Regular operations will resume on June 22 (Monday).About the Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival (端午节), is one of China's most important traditional festivals and the first Chinese festival to be inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on June 19 this year.

The festival's origins are most widely attributed to the story of Qu Yuan (屈原) , a patriotic poet and government official who lived during the Warring States period (475–221 BC).Over 2,000 years ago, Qu Yuan served as a minister in the State of Chu. He was deeply committed to his country and advised the king not to ally with the rival State of Qin. However, corrupt officials spread rumors about him, and the king ultimately rejected his counsel. When the capital of Chu was eventually captured by Qin forces, Qu Yuan, heartbroken and despairing, drowned himself in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Upon hearing the news, the local people rushed to the river in their boats, beating drums and splashing their paddles to keep fish and water dragons from consuming his body. They also threw packets of rice into the river as an offering to his spirit.These acts of remembrance evolved into the festival's two most iconic traditions: dragon boat racing and eating zongzi (rice dumplings) —pyramid-shaped sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves with various fillings.

Today, the Dragon Boat Festival is a time for families to gather, enjoy traditional foods, and remember Qu Yuan's unwavering love for his country.

Please plan your schedules accordingly. We wish you a joyful and peaceful Dragon Boat Festival!