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2026 Chinese Solar Terms

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  1. 小寒 Minor Cold Jan 5, Mon Exact time (Beijing) 16:23 Deep winter; the cold intensifies. Seasonal food: Vegetable rice
  2. 大寒 Major Cold Jan 20, Tue Exact time (Beijing) 09:44 The coldest time of year; winter nears its end. Seasonal food: Laba porridge
  3. 立春 Start of Spring Feb 4, Wed Exact time (Beijing) 04:02 Spring begins and nature starts to revive. Seasonal food: Spring rolls
  4. 雨水 Rain Water Feb 18, Wed Exact time (Beijing) 23:51 Temperatures rise and rainfall increases. Seasonal food: Dragon's beard candy
  5. 惊蛰 Awakening of Insects Mar 5, Thu Exact time (Beijing) 21:59 Spring thunder rolls and hibernating insects awaken. Seasonal food: Rolling donkey rice cake
  6. 春分 Spring Equinox Mar 20, Fri Exact time (Beijing) 22:45 Day and night are nearly equal; spring deepens. Seasonal food: Red bean tangyuan
  7. 清明 Pure Brightness Apr 5, Sun Exact time (Beijing) 02:40 Clear, warming weather; plants turn green. Seasonal food: Green rice balls (qingtuan)
  8. 谷雨 Grain Rain Apr 20, Mon Exact time (Beijing) 09:39 Late-spring rains nourish the crops. Seasonal food: Chinese toon shoots
  9. 立夏 Start of Summer May 5, Tue Exact time (Beijing) 19:48 Summer begins and plants grow vigorously. Seasonal food: Salted duck eggs
  10. 小满 Grain Buds May 21, Thu Exact time (Beijing) 08:36 Summer grains begin to fill out. Seasonal food: Bitter greens
  11. 芒种 Grain in Ear Jun 5, Fri Exact time (Beijing) 23:48 Wheat harvest and summer planting are in full swing. Seasonal food: Plums
  12. 夏至 Summer Solstice Jun 21, Sun Exact time (Beijing) 16:24 Longest day in the Northern Hemisphere; days shorten after. Seasonal food: Noodles
  13. 小暑 Minor Heat Jul 7, Tue Exact time (Beijing) 09:56 Summer heat builds. Seasonal food: Lotus root slices
  14. 大暑 Major Heat Jul 23, Thu Exact time (Beijing) 03:13 The hottest, most humid time of the year. Seasonal food: Grass jelly
  15. 立秋 Start of Autumn Aug 7, Fri Exact time (Beijing) 19:42 Autumn begins, though the heat lingers. Seasonal food: Watermelon
  16. 处暑 End of Heat Aug 23, Sun Exact time (Beijing) 10:18 The heat fades and it starts to cool. Seasonal food: Duck
  17. 白露 White Dew Sep 7, Mon Exact time (Beijing) 22:41 Wider day-night swings; morning dew appears. Seasonal food: Longan
  18. 秋分 Autumn Equinox Sep 23, Wed Exact time (Beijing) 08:05 Day and night are nearly equal; autumn deepens. Seasonal food: Amaranth
  19. Current term 寒露 Cold Dew Oct 8, Thu Exact time (Beijing) 14:29 Late autumn cools and the dew grows cold. Seasonal food: Flower cake (huagao)
  20. 霜降 Frost's Descent Oct 23, Fri Exact time (Beijing) 17:37 Autumn ends; first frost in some areas. Seasonal food: Persimmons
  21. 立冬 Start of Winter Nov 7, Sat Exact time (Beijing) 17:52 Winter begins and the cold deepens. Seasonal food: Dumplings
  22. 小雪 Minor Snow Nov 22, Sun Exact time (Beijing) 15:23 Cold air grows active; snow begins in the north. Seasonal food: Ciba rice cake
  23. 大雪 Major Snow Dec 7, Mon Exact time (Beijing) 10:52 Midwinter; more snow in the north. Seasonal food: Cured pork
  24. 冬至 Winter Solstice Dec 22, Tue Exact time (Beijing) 04:50 Shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere; days lengthen after. Seasonal food: Dumplings

Times are Beijing time (UTC+8); the local date overseas may differ by one day.