Autumn deepens across China as 'Cold Dew' arrives

With today's arrival of "Cold Dew" (Hanlu), the 17th of China's 24 solar terms and the fifth of autumn, the season's charm reaches its peak. As the weather turns cooler, mist settles over the mountains and fields, and crimson leaves paint the hillsides. With the fading sound of cicadas and withered lotus leaves sitting in the ponds, nature ushers in the serene beauty of late autumn.

Across northern China, clouds drift over fiery red forests, and early frosts begin to appear, while the south also feels the growing chill of autumn. The ninth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, known as "Chrysanthemum Month," sees chrysanthemums in full bloom – the emblematic flower of this season.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, as the temperatures drop and the air becomes dry during Cold Dew, people should guard against colds and ailments related to dryness. To moisten the body and strengthen resistance, a nourishing diet of foods such as white fungus, lily bulbs, and Chinese yam is recommended, while raw and cold foods should be avoided.