In Chine, towards the end of June every year, people celebrate a holiday known as the Dragon Boat Festival. The Festival is held to honor the memory of Qu Xuan, a politcian and poet who, in the year 278 B.C., is said to have committed suicide by jumping into a river.
During the festival, local people throw rice dumplings into the water to save Xuan's soul from the evil spirits that reside in the river.

Every year, in this festival, boat races are held to remind people of the search for th body of the dead poet.
Spectators and tourists eat rice cakes while crews row large dragon-shaped baots through the river.
Some researches though, show that dragon boat races existed long beore the death of the poet Qu Xuan, and the modern festival is a combination of several old traditions and festivals.
Never-the-less, it is worth being there.