Quzi cultural park open in central China to mark Duanwu Fest

CHANGSHA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Quzi Cultural Park opened to the pubic Tuesday in central China's Hunan Province to mark the annual Duanwu Festival.

Located in the Miluo City, work on the cultural park began in 2009. The 10 kilometer park is divided into six areas including the Quzi Memorial Temple, Duanwu culture experience zone and Quyuan Tomb protection zone.

Duanwu, or the Dragon Boat Festival, is traditionally celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar in memory of the death of poet Qu Yuan during the Warring States period between 475 and 221 BC.

Visitors can attend lectures on Quyuan's work and join Dragon Boat races.

Dragon Boat races are the centerpiece celebration of the Duanwu Festival. They originated from the fishermen who raced to save Qu Yuan who committed suicide in the Miluo River in Hunan.