An intangible cultural heritage celebration and folklore performances have taken over Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong province to mark this year's Dragon Boat Festival, as well as the national Cultural and Natural Heritage Day.

Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional holiday originating in China. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The festival's alternative name is Double Fifth Festival. It fell on June 7 this year.

The Chinese government has approved the designation of the second Saturday of every June as the national Cultural and Natural Heritage Day since 2017. It fell on June 8 this year.

Dragon boat racing events, intangible cultural heritage shows, and folklore performances have been organized to celebrate the traditional festival, as well as to showcase the charm of traditional culture.

Dragon boat racing is a traditional activity celebrating the Duanwu Festival. The event has been enjoying a revival due to the popularity of rowing events and cultural tourism across the country.

A dragon boat race is held on June 7 to mark the traditional Duanwu Festival in Taierzhuang ancient town of Zaozhuang, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: tezgc2008]

Performers stage a dragon dance on June 7 at the opening ceremony for the festival held to mark the national Cultural and Natural Heritage Day. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Folk artists perform Liuqin Opera, one of the national intangible cultural heritages, in Taierzhuang ancient town of Zaozhuang, Shandong province during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Beijing folk arts troupe performs the Jingxi Taiping drum dance in Taierzhuang ancient town of Zaozhuang to mark the national Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on June 8. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]