Around October 8 each year, Guangdong welcomes the "Cold Dew" solar term. You'll really start to feel the air getting cooler and drier, especially when the sun goes down. The drop in temperature between day and night becomes much more noticeable. People begin paying more attention to protecting their crops and following seasonal habits.
Up north in China, frost might already be appearing around this time, but here in Guangdong, we experience cooler evenings while the days often remain warm and sunny. The air does feel drier, and you might find yourself reaching for an extra layer. There's an old local saying that goes, "After three days of Cold Dew, look for a bridge to cross the waters," which captures the feeling that the chill is setting in.
The name "Cold Dew" comes from the idea that the dew on the ground gets so cold it's almost turning into frost. An old book explains it as "the dew turns cold and is about to condense." This change in weather brings a big worry for farmers: the "Cold Dew wind." This blast of cold air can arrive just when the late rice crops are flowering, leading to poor harvests. As farmers in these parts often say, "Rice fears the Cold Dew wind," which indicates how seriously they take it.
This season also affects what people eat and how they take care of themselves. Many Cantonese families will start making warming soups with ingredients like water chestnut, pear, and duck to help moisten the lungs and combat the dryness. You'll also see more seasonal foods like persimmons, crab, and taro appearing on dining tables. It's common for people to start wearing warmer clothes, particularly ensuring that their feet and lower backs stay warm. There's even a proverb that reminds us, "At Cold Dew, do not bare your feet."
Even though autumn in Guangdong is much milder than in the north, the arrival of Cold Dew is a clear sign that it's time to adjust—to protect the crops, enjoy the seasonal foods, and prepare for the cooler days ahead.
First Arrival at Lu Hun Mountain Villa
Song Zhiwen (Tang Dynasty)
Aware of the bleak season, time for winter clothes,
I press my horse ahead, nearing the Yi Pass.
Now returned to the joy of a secluded life,
I feel daily the calm of an autumn tune.
The frost of Cold Dew withers the north slope;
The evening sun cracks open the eastern ridge.
Chanting, I walk beneath the tangled trees,
And the roosting birds turn back with me.
Author | Feng Huiting
Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
