The story of zongzi begins with the story of the Dragon Boat Festival, in 300 B.C. China. The patriotic poet, Qu Yuan, who had just warned the king of corruption in the government, was eventually antagonized by the other court officials until he was discharged by the king on counts of conspiracy. Dejected and disillusioned, Qu leaped to his death into the Mi Lou River clasping a large heavy stone.

From here, there are several versions of the story of zongzi, which further serves as a vehicle for the Chinese to honor the poet’s uprightness and highlight the plight of corruption of government officials in Chinese history. Today, zongzi is mainly a heart-healthy savory snack and healthy dessert that highlights the culinary traditions of China.

In Taiwan, you can find zongzi from northern and southern culinary traditions. The former is typically cylindrical while the latter is relatively tetrahedral. Countless hotels and stores compete each year to make the best zongzi, large or small, salty or sweet, and they can be found anywhere.

Before sampling the traditional dish, you should get ready for some exercise with the Dragon Boat races. Don’t expect some gentle rowing down the stream though. Taiwan Dragon Boat Festival is about training your fighting spirit with some paddling at full speed.

After training for weeks under the scorching sun, teams are gathering this weekend for the popular Dragon Boat races. Yet, beware of the increasing number of foreigners that are joining in the races: They are playing to win and to have fun. By participating in the popular festival, foreigners also become more familiar with the local culture and the specificities of the competition.

Most participants who join in the annual Dragon Boat races point out that it helps them make some friends and build up social connections, like Triston Eng from Malaysia who will join the race for the third time. “It’s an opportunity to socialize with other people who enjoy outdoor activities too,” he said.

The races and weekly training are also a chance for participants to work out and gain a sense of value and identity for being part of the team. “I thought the race might be easy as the distance to cover is merely 500 meters,” he added. “I have now realized how hard it is to coordinate teamwork and manage my effort while rowing.”

A dedicated member of the Little Plum Golden Years Dragon Boat Team, Eng is part of the growing number of young people who participate in the revival of local traditions with an emphasis on sportsmanship. “I wish to earn trophies in every competition not only during the Dragon Boat Festival but also during the overseas competition,” he concluded.

See for yourself. This weekend there are a few locations to go to watch a dragon boat race live. The Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship is held at Dajia Riverside Park both Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In New Taipei, the dragon boat races will be held along the Bitan River in Xindian.

In Changhua, the races are held at the Ji An Watercourse, Changhua Coastal Industrial Park in the Lugang Township. If you are in Kaohsiung, go to the Love River, where the races are held both Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m.