Winter Solstice, 22nd solar term of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, falls on Dec 21, marking the arrival of the coldest season in a year. To keep warm, people eat dumplings and glutinous rice balls, drink osmanthus wine and wear new clothes during this period.

Eating Dumplings

Eating dumplings is a tradition during Winter Solstice in northern China.

Eating Tangyuan

Tangyuan, or stuffed glutinous rice ball, is the seasonal cuisine for people living in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the Winter Solstice.

Drinking osmanthus wine

In Suzhou, a historical city in east China's Jiangsu province, people keep a tradition of drinking osmanthus wine on Winter Solstice to keep warm in the coldest season of the year. The wine with floral flavor is local's favorite entertainment on the feast of Winter Solstice Eve.

Wearing new clothes

In traditional Chinese culture, Winter Solstice is also regarded as the Minor New Year, signifying the end of the year and starting point of brand new year. As it is also the coldest season, people tend to put on new warm clothes to withstand freezing temperatures and welcome the Minor New Year.

Source: People's Daily APP

Editor: Sophia