Hometown of Qu Yuan: Dragon Boat Festival honors great Chinese poet

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Qu Yuan is considered one of the greatest poets in Chinese history. But few people know about his birthplace, Zigui County in Central China's Hubei Province. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao paid a visit to Zigui and spoke to one of Qu Yuan's descendants about his legacy.

At the Memorial Temple in Zigui County, this bronze sculpture bears the legend of Qu Yuan. Looking firm and staunch, the sculpture characterizes the moral of a great politician in ancient Chinese history. And just a day before the Dragon Boat Festival, we met Qu Hua, one of his descendants.

QU HUA DESCENDANT OF QU YUAN "Qu Yuan was born in an aristocratic family here in Zigui County. He grew up surrounded by mountains and rivers, which influenced his romantic style. He loved writing about orange trees and orchid flowers."

However, the legendary figure is better known as a patriotic poet, who has written some of the greatest poems in Chinese literature. Qu Yuan served as Chief Assistant to the King of Chu State some 2000 years ago.

He represented a progressive force, advocating political reforms, strict legal systems and anti-corruption measures. However, his ideas were adamantly opposed by others in power.

QU HUA DESCENDANT OF QU YUAN "He was deeply troubled by the state his country was in at that time, and in one of my favorite poems of his, he wrote, 'Although the road is endless and far away, I still want to pursue the truth resolutely'."

His patriotic spirit ended up costing him. Qu was shunned by his colleagues and eventually exiled by the ruler. Upon hearing the news that his country was invaded, Qu threw himself into Miluo River and died.

CUI HUI'AO ZIGUI, HUBEI PROVINCE "On the fifth day of every fifth lunar month, Chinese people eat zongzi, and race in dragon boats to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan. But his descendent, Qu Hua says the ethos of Qu Yuan is embedded in history and should hold more significance for every Chinese citizen."

QU HUA DESCENDANT OF QU YUAN "Many people have little knowledge about that history, as they indulge more in the holiday aspect of the festival. Qu Yuan's ethos still matters today, in the sense that we should all be concerned over the fate of our nation, and our compatriots."

Qu now brings his daughter and son to Zigui county every year, to proudly show them what their ancestor has done, and why he should be remembered. Cui Hui'ao CGTN, Zigui County.