“As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches in midsummer, a gentle breeze accompanies travelers on their journeys. To carry forward China’s fine traditional culture and enrich passengers’ travel experience, Huaihua Railway Station held a themed cultural activity titled “My Railway Scenery – Enjoy the Dragon Boat Festival on a Wonderful Journey” in the second-floor waiting hall on June 19. The activity blended rich folk customs with warm railway services, allowing passing travelers to immerse themselves in the charm of the traditional festival during their busy trips and receive a special touch of Dragon Boat Festival warmth.
The venue for the activity was meticulously decorated, creating a festive mood. In the waiting hall of Huaihua Railway Station, eye-catching Dragon Boat Festival-themed posters stood out prominently, while featured activity booths were neatly arranged. Festival-themed cultural and creative gifts—such as zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) and mugwort sachets—were displayed in an orderly manner. Every corner is filled with a quaint, elegant, warm, and harmonious holiday ambiance, adding a rich sense of everyday vitality and ceremonial atmosphere to the bustling waiting hall. Travelers passing by often paused to admire the displays, immersing themselves in an encounter with traditional folk culture on Dragon Boat Festival .
In order to deepen passengers’ appreciation of traditional culture and reinforce their awareness of safe travel, the station innovated the activity by setting up a session for a quiz. The questions were designed around practical topics such as the origin of Dragon Boat Festival, traditional festival customs, railway civil travel guidelines, and common safety knowledge for train travel, which combine educational value, entertainment, and practical relevance. The ambience at the activity was lively, with frequent interactions; the passengers and their children eagerly raised their hands and actively competed to answer. In the relaxing Q&A setting, they revisited the traditional culture of the Dragon Boat Festival while acquiring practical knowledge about railway travel safety, civility, and courtesy. Passengers who answered correctly received exquisite Dragon Boat Festival gifts, their faces beaming with joy.
As the activity drew to a close, one station staff member took to the stage and gave a splendid Peking Opera performance. With melodious arias and solidly grounded skills, they vividly brought out the charm of this traditional Chinese art, instantly captivating the attention of all travelers. Applause rang out repeatedly, bringing the entire activity to a rousing climax.
Ms. Liu, a traveler with her child, said happily, “I happened to catch this activity while traveling with my child. Not only did I learn about the Dragon Boat Festival customs, such as hanging mugwort and wearing sachets for blessings, but I also picked up some handy travel tips. It’s really meaningful.” Many passengers who stopped to join in gave their thumbs up. Mr. Zeng, a visitor from another city, remarked, “The idle waiting time before boarding could have been a bit dull, but I never expected to experience such a folk activity right at the railway station. My journey promptly became warm and fulfilling
One station staff member stated that traditional festivals serve as important vehicles for carrying forward Chinese culture and conveying warmth and care. By leveraging holiday periods, the station deeply integrates traditional folk culture and thoughtful, passenger-friendly services into every stage of travelers’ journeys, breaking away from the conventional single-function waiting model. This approach not only effectively eases passengers’ travel fatigue and enriches their travel experience, but also passes on traditional festival culture through immersive engagement—ensuring that railway services are delivered with warmth and that cultural promotion carries real impact.
(Translated by Yang Sigui)