The biting morning cold is officially here! October is the month of dropping temperature and finally saying swapping summer clothes for winter ones. In the Chinese lunar calendar the year is divided into 24 solar cycles (terms) and as of October 8 to the 23 we are in the Cold Dew ( 寒露) period, which is the 17th term. This is characterized by less rainfall, more moisture (in the case of high pollution then it would be hard to tell) in the air, and harvest period. According to the China Daily report, there are a few things that are interesting about this period. Here are our picks:
Pomegranate Season
It’s time to get your fill of this delicious yet hard to eat fruit that’s ripe during this period. There are numerous fruit peddlers selling this fruit and the markets will have them at a reduced rate. The best part is you can find a farm and go harvest this fruit as a day out of the busy city.
Chrysanthemum Wine
On October 21, China marks the Double Ninth Festival and usually the drink of choice is chrysanthemum wine in the lead up to this day. It’s believed that drinking this wine gives long lasting youth. The iconic flower is added together with poria cocos and pine oleoresin to make the concoction work. Looking for something new to try this season, well this might be it.
Hawthorns Season
Full of antioxidants that help in blood circulation, hawthorns can be found in plenty during this period. Find them on the streets, grocery markets and head to Changping to pick the berries that are closely associated with this season as well.
Hiking Season
This is the best time for hiking as the blazing sun and the freezing cold are no where in within the vicinity. The leaves are changing and this vibrancy of the colors are just the perfect setting to get ready for winter. Here’s a list of hiking routes to try.
To see what other things you need to know about this solar cycle then get the information here.
Solar Terms |
Date |
Meaning |
Start of Spring(立春) |
Feb. 4 |
Spring begins. |
Rain Water(雨水) |
Feb.19 |
It begins to rain. |
Awakening of Insects(惊蛰) |
Mar. 6 |
Hibernating animals awaken. |
Spring Equinox(春分) |
Mar.21 |
Day and night are equally long. |
Clear and Bright(清明) |
Apr. 5 |
It is warm and bright. |
Grain Rain(谷雨) |
Apr. 20 |
Rainfall increases for grain to grow. |
Start of Summer(立夏) |
May 6 |
Summer begins. |
Grain Buds(小满) |
May 21 |
Seeds of summer crops begin to plump. |
Grain in Ear(芒种) |
Jun. 6 |
Wheat grows ripe. |
Summer Solstice(夏至) |
Jun. 22 |
The longest daylight hours and the shortest night of the year. |
Minor Heat(小暑) |
Jul. 7 |
Heat sets in. |
Major Heat(大暑) |
Jul. 23 |
The hottest time of the of a year begins. |
Start of Autumn(立秋) |
Aug 8 |
Autumn begins. |
End of Heat(处暑) |
Aug 23 |
Heat recedes. |
White Dew(白露) |
Sep. 8 |
Dew forms. |
Autumn Equinox(秋分) |
Sep. 23 |
The middle of autumn comes. |
Cold Dew(寒露) |
Oct. 8 |
Dew is very cold. |
Frost’s Descent(霜降) |
Oct. 24 |
Frost descends. |
Start of Winter(立冬) |
Nov. 8 |
Winter begins. |
Minor Snow(小雪) |
Nov. 22 |
It begins to snow. |
Major Snow(大雪) |
Dec. 7 |
It snows heavily. |
Winter Solstice(冬至) |
Dec. 22 |
It has the shortest daylight hours and the longest night of a year. |
Minor Cold(小寒) |
Jan 6 |
It is rather cold. |
Major Cold(大寒) |
Jan 20 |
The coldest time of the year begins. |