As China marks the Start of Summer (Lixia) on May 5 this year, the seventh solar term and first official day of summer, the subtropical province of Guangdong has already embraced the season. While much of northern China is still transitioning from spring, Guangdong's mercury climbed to summer thresholds on April 8, making it one of the nation's earliest regions to bid farewell to cooler days.
For Guangdong, the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon signals more than just rising temperatures. By late April, humidity and heat settle in permanently.
However, old wisdom cautions against hasty wardrobe changes. A local saying, "Before eating May's zongzi, winter clothes stay packed," reminds residents to keep their jackets until the Dragon Boat Festival, a mid-June tradition. Even as the midday sun scorches, mornings and evenings retain a crisp edge, a reminder of summer's tentative grip.
As summer arrives, Guangdong's landscape bursts into lush vitality. In the southern parts of Guangdong, crops thrive under the sun, demanding intensive field management. Meanwhile, farmers race to transplant early rice seedlings before Lixia, adhering to the adage: "Planting post-Lixia guarantees poor harvests—better to leave fields fallow than delay."
Traditional Chinese medicine guides summer diets: "Nourish yang, preserve the heart." Meals during this season prioritize milk, tofu, lean meats, and leafy greens to fortify cardiovascular health, while vegetables, fruits, and whole grains supply fiber and vitamins B and C, acting as a shield against arterial stiffness.
A Pavilion in the Mountain on a Summer Day
Gao Pian (Tang Dynasty)
The summer day's as long as the green shade's cool;
The pavilion casts its shadow into the pool.
The gentle breeze ripples the water crystal clear;
The trellis of roses spreads fragrance far and near.
(Translated by Xu Yuanchong)
Author | Feng Huiting
Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
