24 Solar Terms: Autumn Equinox

chinadaily.om.cn | Updated: 2019-09-24

Print Print

The Autumn Equinox lies at the midpoint of fall, dividing the autumn into two equal parts. After that day, the location of direct sunlight moves to the south, making days shorter and nights longer in the northern hemisphere.

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The Autumn Equinox, the 16th solar term of the year, begins this year on Sept 23 and ends on Oct 7.

It is a season to eat crabs, Qiucai and various plants including pears, papayas, chestnuts and beans.

Blue crabs are commonly found in Taizhou, a coastal city in East China's Zhejiang province.

Autumn is the best season to the eat crabs, when they are most fertile. In Taizhou, blue crabs can be steamed, boiled or braised. They also can be fried and served with niangao, or rice cakes, or used in noodle soup.

In the city, there is a popular custom to eat Qiucai, a local vegetable, during the Autumn Equinox.

Meanwhile, the Autumn Equinox is also the best time to enjoy flowers such as osmanthus and chrysanthemums.

1.gif

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The Autumn Equinox begins this year on Sept 23 and ends on Oct 7. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]