ROW YOUR BOAT

The festival’s longboats are inspired by boatmen who rushed to save Qu Yuan and the locals who drummed to scare off hungry fish. Rowing boats are believed to deter bad luck. Put your own spin on the action by hiring kayaks from aqua centres at Stanley or Pui O and racing friends. Or stay home and practise your paddling technique on dining chairs, or devise virtual Zoom races using a rowing machine.

In Taiwan, some temples and department stores organise annual egg balancing contests. Some people believe that the chance of standing an egg upright is greatest at noon on Dragon Boat Festival, although scientific research has confirmed that eggbalancing is actually possible throughout the year and is not connected to the gravitational force of the moon or sun.