China National Tourist Office London is honoured to introduce 'Seasons of China', a large-scale epic documentary produced by Xinhua News Agency CNC.

Ancient Chinese scholars divided the sun’s movements into 24 equal parts, known as the 24 solar terms. In ancient China, the creation of the 24 solar terms allowed for detailed agricultural planning. 

These 24 solar terms are still celebrated today with much-treasured traditions and festivities throughout the year. The 24 solar terms feature on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Filming lasted for two years, spanning 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities all over China. Presenter Dominic Johnson-Hill explores the influence of the twenty-four solar terms on contemporary China.

Behold as fascinating stories from an amazingly diverse selection of people are presented in captivating twenty-minute instalments featuring an original soundtrack by the International Chief Philharmonic Orchestra of Beijing. 

Find out more about this remarkable and insightful TV documentary, discover each of the 24 solar terms riveting stories below: 

The very first of the 24 solar terms is Li Chun – ‘Beginning of Spring’. ⠀
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As the first term, which also signifies the start of Spring, Li Chun is a celebration of nature coming back to life. This period signified the changes identified by ancient scholars in China, who observed the days becoming longer, the temperature rising, and a decrease in rainfall – all consistent with the turn of Spring. It is a solar term synonymous with hope, due to these physical changes it heralds, and the promise of prosperous harvests in the Spring to come. ⠀
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In rural China, Li Chun brings about many much-loved traditions, with villagers dyeing silk flags in their hair, and tying carrots to trees using auspiciously coloured red chords. Farmers typically celebrated with ceremonies praying for a successful year ahead. The significance of this solar term, and of Spring in China, is reflected in the saying ‘the whole year’s work depends on a good start in Spring’. ⠀
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Today, Li Chun is celebrated in various ways across China, from pinning paper swallows onto doors, to writing Spring couplets. It is customary to enjoy a ‘bite of Spring’, with Chinese people eating Spring pancakes; pancakes wrapped around fresh vegetables and meat to herald the arrival of Spring. ⠀

The second of the 24 solar terms is Yu Shui – 'Rain Water'. ⠀
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Yu Shui is celebrated around China with festive dragon lantern dances, sticky rice balls, and trips to the countryside to pick fresh grass. It is a festival that is closely tied to the agricultural cycle which underpins over 2,000 years of Chinese civilisation, and is perhaps most keenly recognised in Sichuan Province, known as the “Land of Abundance”. Here, lush bamboo forests dominate large areas of the striking, hilly landscape, supporting both the human population, and the giant pandas which flourish here.⠀
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The rapid growth of bamboo shoots during Yu Shui is significant in both traditional and practical ways. It is the source of an ancient Chinese idiom, “Spring bamboo shoots up after the rain”, which describes new, abundant growth across a wide area. Spring bamboo shoots are also a prized delicacy, cooked in many different and delicious ways.⠀
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Bamboo has played an essential part in shaping both the landscape and the history of Sichuan Province and wider China. Over 2,000 years ago, hydraulic engineer Li Bing devised ways to control the flow of the Min River using bamboo cages filled with stones. The resulting irrigation system at Dujiangyan is still in use today, feeding the surrounding agricultural land and preventing flooding. It is said that, without the Dujiangyan irrigation system, there would be no Chengdu today! ⠀

Jing Zhe is the third of China’s 24 Solar Terms, and means ‘Insects Awakening’. ⠀
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Jing Zhe is heralded by the first thunder of the season, which is said to signal the awakening of all things. From animal life to plants, the rising temperatures and increased rainfall that coincides with Jing Zhe brings about a boom in activity, making this term a busy one for farmers. They spray for insects, and traditional foods eaten on the first day of this term reflect this important job. Stir-fried soya beans symbolise jumping pests, and fuzzy taro symbolises mice; both are eaten to ward off pests for the season ahead and bring about a big harvest. ⠀
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It is traditional to eat pears during Jing Zhe and, in response to the blooming of flora during this term, it is also traditional to enjoy roses. But this third term isn’t only about the connection of humankind with nature; it is also inextricably linked to the relationships between people. ⠀
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In Changting County, Fujian Province, the Hakka ethnic group come together during Jing Zhe to honour their ancestors. The Hakka are one of the most widespread minority peoples from China, with around 80 million Hakka worldwide today. Thousands of years ago, many Hakka settled in Changting, using the surrounding bamboo forests and the Tingjiang River to make a living. They became experts in the creation of bamboo paper, which involves over 10 intricate steps to produce. The finest quality bamboo paper was reserved for creating Hakka family books, which traced the history and ancestry of notable Hakka families. During Jing Zhe, the nomadic Hakka people return to Changting and make offerings to their ancestors at ancestral halls or at traditional Hakka ‘enclosed houses’ - historical homes which were once occupied by up to hundreds of members of the same clan at a time.

The 4th solar term is Chun Fen, or the Spring Equinox.⠀
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The Spring Equinox, Chun Fen, symbolises the middle of the season when the weather becomes more neutral and the day becomes as long as the night. After spending the winter gaining energy, many medicinal herbs are at their most potent during this time, leading this solar term to be associated with Chinese medicine.⠀
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The Spring Equinox reminds us of how important nature is in Chinese culture, keeping alive the connection between plants and the seasons. Chinese medicinal practitioners believe that the properties of different herbs vary through the changing seasons. This makes the solar term they are picked during an important factor in determining the effects the herb will have on the human body. Medicine in China isn’t just about healing but about living in tune with the seasons and eating the right things at the right time to live well.⠀
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Anren, a county in Hunan Province, is often coined as the capital of medicine with nearly 1,000 different species of Chinese medicinal herbs growing in its hills. In Chinese mythology, the god of herbs, Shennong, is said to have invented the practice after tasting the herbs in Anren and utilising them to treat disease. As the Spring Equinox is the sowing season, it has become the day to celebrate Shennong. Anren is also home to Ganfenshe, a herbal market that commences each year at the start of the Spring Equinox. Thousands of years old, the market sees the gathering of over 200,000 people from all across China, looking to trade precious herbal medicines in the place where it all began.⠀

The 5th solar term is Qing Ming, or Fresh Green, which is celebrated in the beginning of April. It is the only solar term which is also a national festival.

In contrast with the celebratory spirit of other solar terms, Qing Ming sees Chinese people returning to their original homes to be together with their family and remember their ancestors. Similar to how the Hakka people return home to remember their ancestors during Jing Zhe, the third solar term, Qing Ming is about returning home and taking part in traditions to honour the dead. Most notably, Qing Ming is synonymous with ‘tomb sweeping’, where the graves of ancestors are swept and tributes of respect are made. Hence, the first day of Qing Ming is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day.

In Maoshan, Jiangsu Province, Qing Ming has a different feel to elsewhere in the country. This ancient village has a well-developed network of waterways, and on the first day of Qing Ming, once people have visited cemeteries via boats, they congregate for high-energy boat races. Their ethos is that the strength and speed demonstrated through these races shows their ancestors that they are having great lives. Inhabitants of Maoshan also extend their respect and remembrance during this period to forgotten soldiers as well as their own families, burning joss paper money as they row through the surrounding fields to honour those who died protecting them.

Gu Yu or Grain Rain is the last solar term of spring, and the wettest time of year. Gu Yu indicates that summer is just around the corner, it is a time of year where many crops, including tea, experience a growth spurt.

Guyu tea, picked and harvested on the same day, is made from fresh, light green shoots of exquisite flavour, and is said to give you strength. This special tea is from Anhua, where 600 million year old mountains allow rainwater to filter minerals into the soil, making the tea especially flavoursome and nutritious. In order to drink Guyu tea on the same day as picking, tender tea shoots must be selected, fried at 220 degrees, then carefully rolled to remove any remaining moisture.

Lei tea is another special tea of the day; a salty mixed drink of tea, rice, peanuts, sesame and ginger, prepared for those who are picking and treating the leaves for Guyu tea. This is a process where everyone in the village is actively involved in the business of tea.

The day not only celebrates tea, but traditionally marks the start of the fishermen's first voyage of the year, and is a time to take extra care to manage pests. In particular, people honour the ancestor Cangjie, who legend says invented Chinese characters. In thanks, the gods cried tears which fell upon the earth as grain. Considering how important the harvest and the written word are in all our lives, Grain Rain makes perfect sense as a day of enduring significance.

The seventh of China’s 24 solar terms is Lixia or the Beginning of Summer. As its name indicates, Lixia signifies the end of spring, as summer is heralded with ceremonies including weighing people and giving black rice, to give blessings for another year.

Lixia is a solar term inextricably linked to the ‘fuel of China’; rice. This magnificent grain was discovered in China as early as 7000 years ago, and Lixia holds an important place among the solar terms due to its historical importance in determining winter food stocks.

Guangxi in the south of China enjoys high temperatures and abundant rain in the summer months, making it an ideal location for growing rice. Bama County is home to a special annual Rice Planting Festival, celebrated by the Yao people who have been growing rice in this region for generations, and consider this festival one of their most important traditions. Due to the mountainous terrain of the region, modern machinery is difficult to use, thus rice production in the region still relies on traditional techniques, and the power and skill of both people and buffalos.

Bama’s Rice Planting Festival brings the elderly residents together at a huge feast to celebrate their longevity (something the region is famous for), as a hearty meal is enjoyed to symbolise and celebrate good health. Before the banquet, a rice blessing ceremony is performed, after which the residents tuck into an array of food, including rice dyed five different colours to honour the harmony between humans and nature.

Wild fruits are gathered and brewed as part of the celebratory traditions too. Bama is rich with plant life, including the ledong, or Chinese raspberry. Ledong are gathered and steeped in wine and on the same day to ensure freshness before this popular mix is left until the following year as the previous year’s batches are enjoyed during the festival.

Xiaoman is the eighth of China’s 24 Solar Terms, and means ‘Lesser Fullness’.

Xiaoman is the second term in summer, characterised by ancient Chinese scholars as the time of year in agriculture where temperatures have risen enough to make wheat grains fuller. However, the crops are nowhere near ripe enough, so large amounts of rain are needed for a good harvest. To help encourage this agricultural growth for Xiaoman, on around May 21st when it is believed to be the birthday of China’s Goddess of Silk, Leizu, Chinese citizens culturally express their gratitude for the silkworm and the cart deities that have brought great wealth to Chinese civilisation over thousands of years.

Leizu is known as the Goddess of Silk as she was rumoured to be the first to raise silkworms, weave silk and teach others how to do it, which led to the creation of products that brought on the first economic boom in China and continues to generate great prosperity for this country. For Xiaoman, the Chinese organise festivities to celebrate her birthday, send her good wishes and celebrate their own cocoon harvest.

Silk was invented in Shengze Town, Wujiang City, located in the South-East of China. Its GDP is equivalent to that of an entire city in China, with its silk industry holding up its entire local economy by exporting 10 billion meters of silk every year. To celebrate the silkworm, the creature that made this all possible, the locals of Shengze Town put on a 10-day opera each year for Xiaoman.

Silkworms are tiny, delicate creatures raised carefully by silkworm farmers to produce cocoons that are instrumental in creating intricately designed, luxury products such as clothing and quilts that can take years to make. Such products are often presented as gifts that symbolise great importance to their owners. The potential from the silkworm is massive; just one cocoon from one little bug produces 1,000 meters to 1,500 meters of silk.

China’s 9th of their UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage-listed 24 Solar Terms is Mang Zhong or Grain in Ear.

Surprisingly due to the inextricable link of the solar terms and agriculture, Mang Zhong is the only solar term with a name that directly mentions agriculture. It is during this term that wheat is harvested, giving it its playful name that translates as Grain in Ear. It is also traditional to give thanks to flower gods, produce homemade fresh plum wine, and transplant rice during Mang Zhong.

This busy period for farmers is particularly felt in Henan Province, which is the most important wheat producing province in China. Xiangcheng in Henan hosts an annual ‘Wheat Championship’ during Mang Zhong, crowning the farmer who has produced the most wheat per mu (6 acres) as the ‘Wheat King’. It is said in this region that in spring you can count in days, but in summer you must count in hours, such is the importance of timing the harvest both before the heavy rain arrives, and after the wheat grains have sufficiently dried out. During the ‘Wheat Championship’, a representative from the National Grain Depot checks each harvest for moisture content, as grain that still contains too much moisture cannot be stored. Celebrations for the busy farmers post-harvest typically consist of wheat flour noodles, freshly made from their own supply of ground wheat.

Until around 30 years ago, it was still more common than not for the harvest to be done entirely by hand. However, the increased mechanisation, with combine harvesters and advanced machinery throughout the process, has led to some obvious benefits for farmers such as those in Henan. The time they now save has given rise to new opportunities to make income, resulting in a rise in living standards. There has even been a boom in ‘freelance’ harvesting, where farmers take their equipment across China to help with harvests in order to make money all year round.

Xia Zhi, Summer Solstice, is the 10th of China’s 24 Solar Terms.

When ancient scholars created the terms 2,000 years ago, Summer and Winter Solstice were the first to be identified, with shadows measured to establish the longest and shortest days of the year. Across China, Summer Solstice is celebrated on 21st June with bowls of fresh noodles, a staple during the hot summer months. During this period, clothes are dyed and farmers are busy weeding the fields.

In the very north of China, Summer Solstice has brought about tremendous change in recent years. Mohe is China’s northernmost city, having been named a city in 2018. Being just 130km from Russia’s border, Mohe has Russian-style architecture across the city, and Russian-influenced ingredients at its markets, making it popular with domestic tourists attracted to this unique blend. Mohe is also within travelling distance of China’s spectacular birch forests on the border, which spans for many miles and are best enjoyed during the Summer Solstice period. Despite the increased fire risk the extra tourists bring to these dry forests during this time, the influx of people has had a profound, positive impact on the region.

This impact has been keenly felt in Beihong Village, 130km north of Mohe and just across the Heilong River from the Russian border. With only 500 inhabitants, this village used to rely heavily on farming. But as more adventurous tourists travel here to enjoy the ‘white night’, where there are only 2 hours of darkness, and even the northern lights if they’re lucky, farmers have been able to open guest houses in the village. Local fishermen have benefited too, as their early morning cold water fish catches can be supplied to guest houses for tourists. Beihong Village has enjoyed an overhaul of its surrounding road network, increasing accessibility, and they have also seen vast improvements in the supplies of utilities such as electricity. Summer Solstice continues to entice more and more visitors to the ‘village that never sleeps.

The 11th of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Xiao Shu or Lesser Heat. Although during this term the thermometer can reach around 36° C in some parts of China, this hot period isn’t quite as hot as the next one - Great Heat!

In this episode, we visit Hangzhou and learn about one of the symbols of Lesser Heat in this region - the stunning lotus flower. During Lesser Heat, many tourists from across China flock to Hangzhou to visit West Lake and enjoy the magnificent lotus flower season, where the flowers bloom under the blazing sun. There is a profound relationship between Chinese people and this remarkable flower, from its nickname as the ‘floral god of summer’, to what it symbolises to individuals who are inspired by the story of the lotus flower - rising from the muddy water beneath and coming up clean, pure and elegant.

The lotus plumule also provides ingredients for a Hangzhou-special cooling tea, which helps to cool and calm the body and mind in the hot weather.

Hangzhou is a great attraction to artists in particular, who move to the city to let the lotus flower act as their muse. What’s so inspiring about Hangzhou is that what underpins its attraction to artists is the very same thing that underpins the 24 Solar Terms; the beautiful link between humans and nature.

It’s a scorcher! The 12th of China’s solar terms, Da Shu, or Great Heat, brings the hottest weather of all the terms. Da Shu has the lengthiest daylight hours and the highest temperatures. Chongqing is one of the warmest places in China, nicknamed the furnace!

In this “Seasons of China” episode, we will learn all about how the citizens of Chongqing live during Da Shu. The summer here is very intense, turning the whole city into a steaming and sizzling sauna.

Despite the hilly terrain that makes it tricky to expand the city, the creativity of the Chongqing people produced a bustling metropolis with a population of over 30 million people. Innovative ideas are needed to adjust to the blazing temperatures and mountainous landscape. Homes were traditionally made with bamboo from the surrounding forests and built on sloped ground, the structures not fully sealed so that the river breeze can pass through.

Living here means you must climb hills every time you leave the house. On the streets of Chongqing, you can find the bangbang people. Bangbang work hard using a bamboo pole on their shoulders to transport valuable goods to help the city keep moving. At their peak, there were over 400,000 bangbang workers. Nowadays, modern facilities such as lengthy escalators assist in moving heavy items up the steep hills.

During Da Shu, cold noodles are enjoyed, although your tastebuds will be feeling the heat. The people of Chongqing love spicy food, even in scorching weather! Red chilli peppers are very popular, as when the spice makes you sweat, you will cool down faster. Hot pot is another favourite, the delicious flavours and social nature make it perfect for relaxing in the great heat.

The methods to construct the traditional bamboo houses inspire modern designs in sweltering climates. The complex area pushes architects to the limits of their imagination, harmonizing architecture and the natural environment.

The 13th of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Li Qiu, meaning Beginning of Autumn. It marks a turning point from the hot summer months to the cooler times ahead and is a time for collection and celebration of the harvest.

In this episode, we visit Ningjin County, Shandong Province, home to teams of expert cricket-catchers who collect these seasonal insects ahead of annual cricket-fighting contests. Thousands of the creatures live amongst the undergrowth at the base of corn in the fields, and the prime specimens are captured by the catchers ready to train for the tournament a few weeks later.

Cricket-enthusiasts flock every year to Ningjin to buy crickets at the early-morning markets. They feed them a nutritious diet, house them in special clay pots which provide the insects with a steady, insulated environment and train them up over 40 days for the tournament ahead.

For the cricket-catching families, the cricket season provides a valuable source of income, supplementing their earnings from traditional farming. The contests themselves attract participants from all walks of life, from company directors to college students, all hoping to have trained the eventual champion.

We learn that crickets are closely intertwined with Chinese culture; the Chinese pictogram for autumn is represented by a depiction of a pair of crickets, and there is a rich history behind the protection and care of these tiny creatures.

The 14th solar term is Chu Shu or End of Heat, which marks the end of high summer.

Chu Shu is the 14th solar term, falling usually on August 23rd. Though the temperature is soon to drop, there are still hot days around this term. It signals the harvest season for farmers of all kinds of crops, fish are abundant, and if you rest a moment from the hard toil, it is the best time of year for cloud gazing.

One such crop coming into maturity is indigo, a leafy green that becomes a rich blue dye in the hands of those who know the craft. In Yunnan Province sits the beautiful city of Dali, known for its traditional indigo dying and tie-dye. Yes, the fad of the 60s can be traced back 1,500 years to China!

Guardians of the indigo dye pass down recipes and methods from father to son, while it is traditionally the women who tie and sew beautiful patterns into cotton cloth. To achieve a rich blue can take as much as 12 rounds, and the tighter the tie, the more brilliant and neater white contrast is the result. To the Bai people, this contrast signifies simplicity and sincerity. The craft is a so-called ‘birth to death’ tradition, where new-borns are gifted tie-dyed shawls to ward off evil, brides about to be married handmake pillowcases, and the dearly departed are also shrouded in tie-dye.

This ancient tradition is yet another way in which China’s younger generation are reconnecting with their roots and with nature. Dali has called to those who once left for fast-paced city careers to return home. Whilst the craft guardians wonderfully preserve the old ways, and even China’s first Bai tie-dye museum, young craftspeople are innovating in designs and fashions, and at the same time maintaining and passing on the old techniques.

‘Blue cloth floating under a blue sky' is truly the colour of Dali, and it is the colour of Chu Shu. We hope this comes to mind when you next happen across a fine day with plump, white clouds overhead.

Bai Lu, the 15th of China’s solar terms, arrives at the start of September. Bai Lu means White Dew, this is a reference to the morning dew which appears on grass as the weather begins to cool, and harvest season is on the horizon for many crops.

In this episode, we visit Guilin in southern China, home to a tradition going back thousands of years – the enchanting Floating River Lantern Ceremony. Every year in the days preceding Bai Lu, the “ghost festival” is celebrated, to remember and honour the deceased, and bless the living. Delicate floating lanterns depicting figures from dragons and people to chickens are constructed from bamboo and coloured paper, using techniques passed down through generations. The lit lanterns float down the night-time river in a magical procession!

Another tradition with significance to Bai Lu is that of fishing with cormorants – a practice where fisherman and bird work together in symbiosis. This solar term coincides with the point when young cormorant chicks are growing and able to be trained for this unique practice. Much time and effort are given by the fishermen; it can take 4 months to train the cormorants, and they can live for 20 years.

This exceptional way of fishing has in recent years come to be celebrated as part of a large-scale theatrical show staged on Guilin’s waters with spectacular mountains as the backdrop. Large numbers of tourists flock to see the show, bringing a new strand of income to the region and its residents.

The 16th solar term, Qiu Fen, marks the Autumn Equinox – a time for gathering harvests, trees taking on their vivid autumnal colours, and families gathering to celebrate the mid-Autumn Festival. In 2021.

In this episode, we travel to Dunhuang, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in north-western China and on the famed main Silk Road trade route, which helped establish China as one of the world’s chief trading nations over 2,000 years ago.

For Dunhuang’s farmers, Autumn Equinox marks the time to harvest their cotton, in contrast to more water-rich regions of China, where rice and fruit are harvested at this time. As a relatively drought-resistant plant, cotton is well-suited to the hot, dry climate. We meet Feng Keyun, who has helped the cotton industry transform itself over the last 20 years, developing innovative ways to improve quality and output, while also reducing the irrigation needs, to create a more environmentally friendly crop.

The topography of this region also supports the Bactrian camel population, domesticated over 5,000 years ago, and continuing to thrive. They are raised by the inhabitants of the Crescent Village, named after the adjacent oasis, and during tourist season, the villagers’ camels become the main means of transportation as thousands of visitors arrive, most wishing to ride a camel in the same way that ancient traders would have.

In Dunhuang, we meet Zhang Jianzhong, also known as “Camel Zhang”. After 20 years as a cotton farmer, he has turned to the design and creation of model camels, which are hugely popular with visiting tourists. At his workshop, many thousands are hand-crafted each year, ready for the Autumn rush.

With Dunhuang’s strong links with ancient China through its desert landscapes and camel caravans, Autumn Equinox takes on a legendary feel.

The 17th of China’s 24 solar terms is Han Lu, also known as Cold Dew.
As the weather gets cooler, occurs at the beginning of October. In this intriguing episode, join us in discovering several Han Lu traditions. Feasting on quintessential Chinese delicacies is a wonderful way to spend time with your loved ones amid the shortening days.

Throughout Han Lu, famous and scrumptious snacks are on sale in Shanghai. A number of these are only available once a year! Hopeful patrons arrive early for a chance to grab some crab meat dumplings. Crabmeat is at its most succulent during the Han Lu period. Dumplings are a staple in Chinese cuisine, the perfect dish to fill your appetite whilst it's chilly.

We learn more about how the much-loved crab makes its way onto plates all over China. Chinese chefs are constantly concocting fresh ways to dine on crab. A classy afternoon may be spent banqueting on crab and listening to Kunqu music, comparable to afternoon tea in the UK.

Gu Weiyung, a famous Kunqu master from Bacheng, returns home for Han Lu each year to honour the festivities. Kunqu is the oldest surviving form of opera in China. Those who practice the art of Kunqu are immensely talented physical performers, but patience is also crucial. The intense preparation process to perform Kunqu can take several hours. Once ready, the result is stunning. The fantastic costumes and creative makeup transform Gu Weiyung into a piece of living art, who utilizes her body to gracefully emulate beautiful shapes.

Audiences nationwide flock to behold these shows, sometimes performed in charming gardens designed to resemble traditional Chinese paintings. Kunqu spans back to Shakespearian times and shares similarities of tragic tales, distinctive characters, and continued notoriety.

Han Lu is one of the most renowned solar terms, the distinct flavourful cuisine and extraordinary entertainment encourage us to relax and appreciate some sophisticated culture.

The 18th of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Shuang Jiang, also known as First Frost. In this instalment, we learn about the last solar term of autumn, occurring on October 23rd. As the temperature decreases, the moisture in the air turns to frost. For farmers, this is a signal it is finally time to harvest your crops.

Come along on the journey to Fuping County, Shaanxi Province. A relatively small place with splendid scenery. Fuping prides itself on the homegrown speciality, persimmon fruit! In the UK, persimmons are not too common, however, they're in high demand in China. In times past, persimmons were gifted to emperors.

For the annual Shuang Jiang gathering, residents of Fuping eagerly compete to see who can peel persimmons the quickest. Persimmon cake is a beloved traditional Chinese dessert enjoyed by many. We meet Shuangguan Yingchun, who lives in a village famous for growing the brightly coloured fruit. There are many reasons to appreciate the sun, one of those is that it helps us determine the passing of time. Persimmons love sunlight and take nine whole months to grow! They are nature’s most luxurious gift to the people of Fuping.

Scheduling your harvest around the ancient Chinese solar terms is the secret key to abundant crops. Together we observe the detailed persimmon cake production process, from tree to plate. Only the most perfect persimmons are selected. The fruit is painstakingly washed, peeled individually, hung to dry, massaged, warmed in the sun, and finally left to form a natural sugar frosting. Remains of the fruit make flavourful sugar and tea.

The cultivators meticulous work guarantees every dessert has a flawless appearance and delectable taste. The care and patience carried out each Shuang Jiang is equally as sweet as a persimmon cake!

The 19th of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Li Dong or the Beginning of Winter.

In this episode, we travel to Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province, a city based on and around water, which plays a central part in two major activities which come to life as Li Dong arrives.
We meet Jin Yongfu, a youthful 67 years old and a keen winter swimming enthusiast along with his wife. This outdoor pursuit has become very popular over the last 20 years, and Li Dong symbolically marks the start of the winter swimming season. Early each morning a group of swimmers meets by Jianhu Lake to do warm-up exercises before plunging into the sub-17° Celsius water, for a vigorous swim that stimulates the mind and body for the day ahead.

Li Dong also ushers in the time for beginning the fermentation process of Shaoxing’s famed yellow rice wine, and the clear waters of Jianhu Lake are integral to its production. At this time, the low temperature and water quality are the perfect combination to start the 3-month fermentation of this local speciality, which has a history stretching back 2,500 years. Following traditional ways, at the beginning of the wine-making season, producers wash their equipment in the clear running water passing their doors.

Modern factories now produce over 440,000 tonnes a year of the yellow rice wine, but the quality and flavour are still determined by Li Dong’s temperature and the water quality of Jianhu Lake, meaning that the winemakers are inheritors of centuries-old methods.

Other charming ancient traditions are still celebrated, such as the river drinking game “QuShuiLiuShang”, which was devised by aristocrats 1,000 years ago, and requires participants to make up a poem on the spot - or to drink if they’re not able to.

These shifts in behaviour and adoption of new pastimes echo the changing of the seasons, in a cycle which evolves while retaining strong links to the past.

The 20th of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Xiao Xue or Light Snow, the first sight of snow occurs during this time.

Chinese farmers hope for snow throughout this solar term, as this signifies an abundant harvest in the following year. In this episode, we journey to the southern edge of China, home to one of China’s oldest ethnic groups, the Miao, who are celebrating their new year. We observe their delightful festivities. The Miao people have kept their traditions alive for many years and are known for their colourful outfits and incredible silver ornaments. Interestingly, their language has also never been documented.

The locals eagerly anticipate celebrations of this year’s crops. The Miao people are masters at flavouring their cuisine, everything is deliciously dowsed in chilli pepper. The community begin to hand smoke meat, which preserves it, another longstanding Chinese tradition. 2,500 years ago, Chinese philosopher Confucius accepted bacon in exchange for lessons!

Aside from smoking meat, another Xiao Xue tradition is to provide an offer to their ancestors, thanking them for their blessings and a successful harvest. Miao new year celebrations last for a few months! Merrymaking involves partying and enjoying scrumptious food with your loved ones.

In Guizhou Province, ancient and magnificent traditions take place to mark Leishan new year. Miao women wear up to 10-15 kilograms of silver, it is essential to own silver jewellery to get married. Alternately, Miao men must be able to handcraft silver themselves to be a desirable suitor. The beautiful jewellery is intricately handmade; we are lucky to see the mesmerising process as Long Taiyang transforms bars of silver into a silver string that is fine as hair.

Silver making is a cultural tradition passed down thousands of years and represents luck and good fortune for the future. The astonishing headwear the Miao women wear symbolises their relationship status. Married women, alternatively known as Guma journey home for the lively event inspired by families reuniting once a year for Xiao Xue. Gumas must pass 12 checkpoints and enjoy a cup of rice wine each time before they finally arrive home. These jolly traditional customs continued today are such a wonderful way to honour your ancestors!

The 21st of China’s 24 Solar Terms is Da Xue or Major Snow, this term falls around the 7th of December annually and coincides with heavy snow in Northern China. In this episode we visit ‘Snow Town’, a location transformed by a shift in industry centring around the 21st Solar Term.

Shuangfeng forest is thought to be the area of China where snow is most prevalent, with consistent snowfall from October to March and often beyond. This can be attributed to the area’s unique geography, located over 1,700 meters above sea level and surrounded by protective mountains, the forest has a perfect recipe for snow!

Nestled within the North-Eastern Forest is an area affectionately nicknamed ‘Snow Town’ by the Chinese people, a town that has rapidly transformed in recent years. Historically this area hosted a large logging industry, but in 2013 when China scaled back its commercial logging the town lost this economic keystone and was left without direction.

The initiative of ex-loggers to become business owners and harness the potential of their ‘winter wonderland’ has quickly shaped ‘Snow Town’ into one of the hottest, or perhaps coolest, winter holiday destinations, drawing visitors on a global scale. Further support from the government, including funding for a 175-meter mountain travellator, has amplified tourism within and beyond the 21st solar terms. The depths of winter now represent economic prosperity and celebration in snow town, rather than the harsh logging conditions of the not so distant past.

Despite their swift commercial transformation, residents in ‘Snow Town’ still uphold many of their traditions, such as using the forest as an open-air freezer in wintertime! Their frozen tofu is a perpetual favourite thanks to its internal honeycomb structure which helps to absorb extra flavour.

Overall, this chapter teaches us that Solar Terms are more than just a measurement of time or an agricultural schedule, they shape the lives of people across China. The story of ‘Snow Town’ is one of transformation, shaping the cold 21st Term into one filled with light and prosperity.

Dong Zhi is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms, marking the winter solstice, the shortest day with most hours of darkness. Dong Zhi therefore represents the beginning of a new cycle and the promise of spring to come; and so, it is not surprising that of the 24 terms, this was the first to be distinguished in ancient times.

The 22nd solar term was first recognised approximately 2,500 years ago in the city of Xi’an, the capital of the Han dynasty. Widely believed to be the location where Dong Zhi festivities originated, this chapter focuses on this important city. We are guided by Wang Zhi, a prominent figure in the area’s intangible cultural protection centre.

A key custom during this term is eating dumplings. The story goes that 1,800 years ago a healer called Zhang Zhongjing returned home to find many villagers with frostbitten ears. He ordered his apprentice to make a mutton broth laced with chilli peppers and herbs and wrapped it in dough pockets shaped like ears. After enjoying the dumplings together, the villagers were healed; since this day it has been customary to enjoy this dish during Dong Zhi to keep the harsh winter at bay. In modern times, you could visit Defachang dumpling house in Xi’an, where at this special time of year up to 5,000 dumplings are sold daily! The restaurant is the longest standing in the city to offer such a banquet, with over 300 varieties and flavours of dumplings.

In the depths of winter, the colour red symbolises hope for the coming spring, so many folk crafts incorporate this bright colour. Cut into a complex and beautiful design, red paper adorns many a window. This recreational activity was commonplace in the agriculturally centred past where workload would be lightest in the winter.

Alongside this, the now globally recognizable red paper lanterns make their appearance during this term. Woven from bamboo sticks, a candle is lit inside to represent people on a cold winter’s night, sending wishes for the future. In the present, Winter Solstice, or Dongzhi Festival, is celebrated with family and friends, bringing joy to the deep winter for people from all walks of life.

The penultimate solar term is Xiao Han, meaning “Lesser Cold”, a time where, in many parts of China, people stay indoors out of the cold, preparing paper decorations ahead of the upcoming spring festival.

In contrast, in this episode we travel to Sanya on the island province of Hainan – China’s most southerly province, widely known as a tropical paradise, where even in winter the temperature doesn’t fall below 21° Celsius. For over 25 years, regular visitors from northern parts of China have flocked here during winter months to enjoy the warmer climate, earning them the nickname “Houniao”, or migratory birds.

Feng Guang is one of the earliest Houniao, having first come on a winter visit to Hainan in 1993 from northeastern China. In the time since he has seen it grow from a relatively undeveloped fishing island to a real tourism hotspot which many Houniao call home during the winter.

We also meet Feng Guang’s mother as she comes to visit from Harbin in the far north of China, a few days before Lesser Cold falls. She reveals that she learned to swim on her first visit to Hainan, at the age of 65, and in Sanya’s mild climate, she is able to meet with friends, enjoying time spent in the fresh air, and says, “China’s treasure – Sanya on Hainan Island.”

The tropical fruits which grow all year round in Hainan also feature in this episode. Mangoes and other fresh produce from the island travel all across China to feature on the spring festival tables of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. This tropical island helps to bring colour and flavour to the whole of China in the middle of winter!