In China, we just saw off the End of Heat Chushu

In China, we just saw off the End of Heat (Chushu), which is the fourteenth solar term of the traditional Chinese twenty-four solar terms. "Chu" means "termination", and the arrival of End of Heat means that most parts of China are leaving the hot summer and entering the cool autumn.

In China, regions beyond the Great Wall will enter autumn in early September. People can enjoy the gradual change of scenery from summer to autumn. But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers.

We have the following customs and habits in autumn:

Eat ducks

There are many recipes for cooking ducks such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon smoked duck with walnut, dressing and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating ducks during the End of Heat period is still popular in China.

Cloud appreciation

When the End of Heat comes, summer heat has gone. Clouds scatter around in the sky, forming different shapes. There is a saying that goes" Enjoying the clouds of various forms in July and August (lunar month)."

Night-blooming cereus appreciation

The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat characterized by warm days and cold nights is similar to tropical deserts. Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. They blossom at night to avoid the blazing daytime sun.