Winter solstice, also known as Dongzhi in Chinese, is the 22nd solar term on the Chinese lunar calendar, and it falls on December 21 this year. The day sees the shortest daytime and the longest night.

The Chinese have an old saying: “Dongzhi is as significant as the Spring Festival.” On this day, people in the northern part of China will eat dumplings, and people in southern China will make and eat tangyuan, or rice dumplings, to symbolize the reunion of family.

Winter solstice marks the beginning of a period known as Shujiu Hantian in Chinese, which is believed to be the coldest 81 days that could be divided into nine units, "nine days" each.

However, coldness is not frightening — after all, spring isn't too far away.

(By Fanying)