Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are the traditional treat to eat during the Dragon Boat Festival. Much like mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they are given out as gifts in extravagant boxes, as well as seen at stalls lining the streets at holiday celebrations.
These packets of sticky rice, with a variety of fillings, are wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves and come in different shapes – typically triangular-based pyramids or pillow-shaped rectangles. They can be sweet or savory and the rice comes in a diverse range of colors.
Zongzi are often considered to be the world’s first ‘take-out food’ because workers who could not head home for a meal would take them out into the field to eat during their day’s labor.
However, those early zongzis likely have little in common with the delectable creations listed here. Made by master chefs utilizing culinary innovations, these zongzi sets are fit for fine dining and make the perfect gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Zongzi at Ying Chinese
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun presents two exquisite Dragon Boat Festival gift boxes:
The China – Chic Zongzi set revives Song Dynasty elegance, featuring four classic rice dumplings: red bean and honey date, eight treasure mixed nuts, chestnut and pork meat, and spiced beef. The Snake Gift Bag set dazzles with modern Chinese aesthetics, offering creative flavors: almond and red bean coarse grains, longan and lotus seed, black truffle and ham in broth, abalone, pork belly and egg yolk.
Each handcrafted delicacy showcases meticulous culinary artistry, balancing nostalgic flavors with bold innovations. Presented in culturally inspired packaging – perfect for sharing seasonal joy – they offer authentic tastes of China's heritage through thoughtfully curated sweet and savory creations.
April 21 – May 31
The China – Chic: RMB298/box
Snake Gift Bag: RMB498/box
Ying Chinese, InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, No.1 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang
An Exquisite Tribute to the Dragon Boat Festival at St. Regis Beijing
Embracing its legacy of refined cultural experiences, The St. Regis Beijing pays homage to the traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival with the unveiling of its 2025 premium rice dumpling gift box. Inspired by the palette of Chinese traditional colors, The St. Regis Beijing encapsulates a millennium of Eastern aesthetics within the confines of their 2025 rice dumpling gift box.
Commited to sustainability, the box is crafted from eco-conscious materials with a double-layered rotating drawer. Inside there are eight delicately crafted rice dumplings that are a testament to innovation rooted in tradition.
Until May 31
RMB338/an eight-flavor box
Tel: +86 10 64606688 ext. 2460
Celestial Court Chinese Restaurant, 2F St. Regis Beijing, No.21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang
Reimagined Zongzi at Peninsula Beijing
A graceful Dragon Boat Festival gift bag is inspired by Huang Ting’s Chinese aristocratic courtyard setting. Styled in bamboo green, symbolizing vitality and hope, the carry-home handbag is embossed with an intricate pattern that reimagines traditional Chinese bamboo weaving. The round wooden handle is comfortable to carry and imbued with symbolism of success and harmony for the festive season. Marrying heritage art and modern minimalist design, the handbag showcases the elegance of Chinese craftsmanship and makes a desirable gift choice conveying heartfelt blessings for family and friends.
The Dried Scallops with Huang Ting Signature XO Sauce rice dumplings are infused with our own homemade XO Sauce, using a secret recipe created at The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Spring Moon restaurant.
Inspired by northern Chinese cuisine, Black Rice and Bean Paste rice dumplings encase delicately sweet bean paste in a nutritious and fragrant black rice wrap.
Yellow Rice and Red Date rice dumplings combine soft yellow rice with the fruity sweetness of dates to create a healthy and nutritious treat for the Dragon Boat Festival and a celebration of well-being.
Until May 31
RMB428/eight rice dumpling set *two pieces of each flavor
Tel: 010 - 8516 2888
Huang Ting, The Peninsula Beijing, No.8 Jinyu Hutong, Dongcheng
Dragon Boat Festive Delights at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Through the passage of time, the Dragon Boat Festival has transformed – once a solemn ritual to dispel misfortune and invoke blessings, it is now a celebration of heritage through the tastes of tradition. In tribute to this enduring legacy, Four Seasons Hotel Beijing presents two exquisitely curated rice dumpling gift boxes. Each encapsulates the artistry of time-honored techniques, offering an elegant expression of the season’s spirit.
The Deluxe Rice Dumpling Gift Bag includes two of each of four delicious flavors: Tangerine Peel and Red Bean Paste, Honey Date, Jinhua Ham, and Sichuan Peppercorn Beef.
The Classic Rice Dumpling Gift Box includes two of each of three flavors: Traditional Savory Pork, Red Bean, and Mixed Grain.
Until May 31, 9am-6pm
The Deluxe Rice Dumpling Gift Bag: RMB388
The Classic Rice Dumpling Gift Box: RMB298
Tel: +86 10 5695 8537
Opus Gourmet, 1F Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, No.48 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang
Handmade Rice Pudding Gift Bag from NUO Beijing
The culinary team of JIA Chinese Restaurant includes specially prepared handmade zongzi to celebrate this festive time of the year. Each set includes eight pieces with three delicious different flavors.
The set includes two Glutinous Rice Dumplings with Meat, three Handmade Red Bean Paste Rice Puddings, and three Handmade Red Dates Rice Puddings.
Available until May 31
RMB288/set
Tel: +86 10 5926 8298
NUO Hotel Beijing, No.2A Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang
A Taste of Tranquillity at China World Summit Wing, Beijing
Amidst midsummer's flourishing beauty, China World Summit Wing, Beijing invites you to step into a resplendent landscape and savor the serenity of their handcrafted zongzi – a cherished Dragon Boat Festival tradition where flavours and heritage unite in harmony.
Until May 31
RMB298 and up
China World Summit Beijing, No.1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang
Bvlgari Hotel Beijing’s Exquisite Dragon Boat Festive Gift Box
Bvlgari Hotel Beijing and Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai proudly present an artisanal Dragon Boat Festival Gift Box. This exquisite collection presents traditional zongzi in packaging that showcases contemporary Italian craftsmanship, blending starlit symbolism with timeless Chinese culinary traditions.. Each delicacy honors Chinese culinary heritage while blending stellar inspiration with timeless traditions. The limited-edition assortment offers discerning gourmets a celebration of wellness and refinement, featuring dedicated flavors, Iberico Pork with Abalone and Dried Scallop – a perfect gift to convey blessings to loved ones.
Until May 31
RMB498
Bvlgar Hotel Beijing, Bldg. 2, No.8 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang
[Cover image courtesy of The Peninsula Beijing]
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