July 23 marks the "Greater Heat" or Da shu, the 12th of the 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese calendar. It's also the last solar term of the summer. During this time, crops of the warm season enjoy their fastest period of growth. Weather in some places can give you the feeling of a steaming sauna.
July 23 marks the "Greater Heat" or Da shu, the 12th of the 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese calendar. It's also the last solar term of the summer. During this time, crops of the warm season enjoy their fastest period of growth. Weather in some places can give you the feeling of a steaming sauna.
The solar terms are the seasonal division points on the Chinese lunar calendar. In the past, Chinese people used the system to schedule their agricultural activities or alter their diet at various times of the year. Today, lots of traditions and customs regarding the 24 solar terms, such as eating special foods, are still popular in the country.
In 2016, China's 24 solar terms were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Designer: Xing Cheng
Editor: Chen Bo
Producer: Wu Haixia