White Dew, the 15th solar term of the year, begins this year on Sept 7 and ends on Sept 22.
White Dew indicates the real beginning of cool autumn. The temperature declines gradually and the vapors in the air often condense into white dew on the grass and trees at night.
Touring during September
Varying by geographical location, autumn comes earlier in the west and northeast of China. Right now Kanas in Xinjiang, Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and the Greater Hinggan Mountains in Northeastern China are entering the most beautiful season of the year. Forests in gorgeous colors and minority groups with their diversity of cultural styles have attracted a huge number of visitors.
More white dews
From the first day of the White Dew on, there are more and more dews. Although sunshine in the day is still hot, after sunset, temperatures decrease rapidly. At night, water vapors in the air turn into small water-drops when it encounters cold temperatures. These white water-drops adhere to flowers, grass and trees. When the morning comes, sunshine makes them look crystal clear, spotless white and adorable.
Eating grapes
The White Dew season is just the time when grapes become widely available for sale. Eating grapes in autumn can help dispel one's internal heat and expel toxins.
Eating Longan
Longan around White Dew is big, sweet and tastes great. There is a tradition in Fuzhou, Fujian province, that eating longan on the first day of White Dew can help nourish the human body. It is said that one longan is as nutritious as an egg. Although this sounds exaggerated, Longan does reinforce the spleen, nourish the blood, calm the nerves and improve one's looks.
Eating sweet potatoes
Many Chinese believe that the best food during White Dew is sweet potatoes. In the old days, the peasants had the custom of eating sweet potato on the first day of White Dew.
Besides being the No.1 vegetable against cancer, according to Chinese medicine, sweet potato can nourish the spleen. It can prolong life and reduce the risks of disease.
Source: Anhui
Editor: GAO Yuan
