-
Minor Cold
Jan 5, Sat
Exact time (Beijing) 15:30
Deep winter; the cold intensifies.
Seasonal food: Vegetable rice
-
Major Cold
Jan 20, Sun
Exact time (Beijing) 08:54
The coldest time of year; winter nears its end.
Seasonal food: Laba porridge
-
Start of Spring
Feb 4, Mon
Exact time (Beijing) 03:08
Spring begins and nature starts to revive.
Seasonal food: Spring rolls
-
Rain Water
Feb 18, Mon
Exact time (Beijing) 22:59
Temperatures rise and rainfall increases.
Seasonal food: Dragon's beard candy
-
Awakening of Insects
Mar 5, Tue
Exact time (Beijing) 21:03
Spring thunder rolls and hibernating insects awaken.
Seasonal food: Rolling donkey rice cake
-
Spring Equinox
Mar 20, Wed
Exact time (Beijing) 21:52
Day and night are nearly equal; spring deepens.
Seasonal food: Red bean tangyuan
-
Pure Brightness
Apr 5, Fri
Exact time (Beijing) 01:41
Clear, warming weather; plants turn green.
Seasonal food: Green rice balls (qingtuan)
-
Grain Rain
Apr 20, Sat
Exact time (Beijing) 08:43
Late-spring rains nourish the crops.
Seasonal food: Chinese toon shoots
-
Start of Summer
May 5, Sun
Exact time (Beijing) 18:46
Summer begins and plants grow vigorously.
Seasonal food: Salted duck eggs
-
Grain Buds
May 21, Tue
Exact time (Beijing) 07:41
Summer grains begin to fill out.
Seasonal food: Bitter greens
-
Grain in Ear
Jun 5, Wed
Exact time (Beijing) 22:44
Wheat harvest and summer planting are in full swing.
Seasonal food: Plums
-
Summer Solstice
Jun 21, Fri
Exact time (Beijing) 15:31
Longest day in the Northern Hemisphere; days shorten after.
Seasonal food: Noodles
-
Minor Heat
Jul 7, Sun
Exact time (Beijing) 08:55
Summer heat builds.
Seasonal food: Lotus root slices
-
Major Heat
Jul 23, Tue
Exact time (Beijing) 02:24
The hottest, most humid time of the year.
Seasonal food: Grass jelly
-
Start of Autumn
Aug 7, Wed
Exact time (Beijing) 18:47
Autumn begins, though the heat lingers.
Seasonal food: Watermelon
-
End of Heat
Aug 23, Fri
Exact time (Beijing) 09:36
The heat fades and it starts to cool.
Seasonal food: Duck
-
White Dew
Sep 7, Sat
Exact time (Beijing) 21:52
Wider day-night swings; morning dew appears.
Seasonal food: Longan
-
Autumn Equinox
Sep 23, Mon
Exact time (Beijing) 07:26
Day and night are nearly equal; autumn deepens.
Seasonal food: Amaranth
-
Cold Dew
Oct 8, Tue
Exact time (Beijing) 13:45
Late autumn cools and the dew grows cold.
Seasonal food: Flower cake (huagao)
-
Frost's Descent
Oct 23, Wed
Exact time (Beijing) 17:00
Autumn ends; first frost in some areas.
Seasonal food: Persimmons
-
Start of Winter
Nov 7, Thu
Exact time (Beijing) 17:08
Winter begins and the cold deepens.
Seasonal food: Dumplings
-
Minor Snow
Nov 22, Fri
Exact time (Beijing) 14:44
Cold air grows active; snow begins in the north.
Seasonal food: Ciba rice cake
-
Major Snow
Dec 7, Sat
Exact time (Beijing) 10:07
Midwinter; more snow in the north.
Seasonal food: Cured pork
-
Winter Solstice
Dec 22, Sun
Exact time (Beijing) 04:09
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.