Shekou mugwort bouquet workshop brings Dragon Boat Festival heritage to life

Participants with mugwort bouquets they created pose for a photo while celebrating Dragon Boat Festival traditions at Hotel Mumian Shenzhen Houhai in Nanshan District on Tuesday . Courtesy of Shekou MSCE

To celebrate China’s rich traditional culture and create a festive atmosphere for the Dragon Boat Festival, a mugwort bouquet-making workshop was held at Hotel Mumian Shenzhen Houhai in Nanshan District on Tuesday. More than 20 local and expat residents attended the event.

Co-hosted by Hotel Mumian and the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE), the workshop offered a hands-on way to experience the holiday’s unique traditions, which this year fall on June 19. Fresh green mugwort, elegant Chinese-style sachets, and a variety of craft materials were neatly arranged in the activity room, ready for participants to begin.

Expats make mugwort bouquets at the workshop.

After a relaxing tea break, the hands-on session officially got underway. Seated around the worktables, participants created wreath-like arrangements with nimble fingers while enjoying the shared spirit of the festival. Before they started crafting, staff guided them through a lively “mini Dragon Boat class,” covering everything from the know-how behind hanging mugwort to the meaning and etiquette of blessing plaques.

As soon as the materials were distributed, the venue quickly filled with energy. Some participants sorted the branches, others tied the wreath rings, and many chose decorative accessories, helping one another throughout the process — passing tools, adjusting angles, and collaborating naturally. Laughter spread through the room, mingling with the pleasant fragrance of mugwort and the vibrant greenery on every table.

An expat poses for a photo with a bouquet of mugwort he made.

Tomoe, a resident from Japan, said, “This event was wonderful. I could directly feel the charm of Chinese Dragon Boat Festival culture.”

By using Dragon Boat Festival customs as a bridge and craftsmanship as a shared language, the workshop turned tradition into something residents could not only see, but also personally make and experience.

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Source：Shenzhen Daily