Australian students, residents enjoy Duanwu festivities

Students can also play a part in building strong and lasting China-Australia relations, Lin added.

Watson said his first time celebrating the Duanwu Festival was very rewarding.

"Events like this are like the defining parts of culture, shared traditions where we all meet and exchange ideas," he said.

The weekend festivities extended to Sunday (June 21), when crowds gathered at the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Sydney's iconic Darling Harbour for a Dragon Boat Festival cultural fair.

The garden, which is modeled after ancient private gardens in China from the 5th century and known as a tranquil oasis in the city, offered Duanwu-related activities as well as intangible cultural heritage experiences and performances, including tea appreciation, folk handicrafts and music played with traditional instruments like the erhu, a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, pipa, a four-stringed plucked lute, and guzheng, a Chinese zither.

The event was organized by Tianjin Museum and hosted by the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the China Cultural Centre in Sydney and the China National Tourist Office in Sydney. It also showcased experiences and items specific to Tianjin, a municipality in North China, such as Tiger Dala, a folk ornament made of cloth featuring auspicious tiger motifs.

Retired teacher Aaron White, 67, took his grandson Jonathan, 10, to the garden after hearing about the cultural fair from friends.

They tried preparing zongzi and learned how to make bamboo-woven miniature dragon boat handicrafts to take home.

"I've been to Beijing and Shanghai and hope I can visit more places in the country. I would like Jonathan to also know more about China and Chinese culture," White said.

"We're lucky to have this garden here right in the heart of Sydney and to have the chance to enjoy festivals and traditions like this on such a beautiful, sunny weekend," he added.

alexishooi@chinadaily.com.cn