Major Heat, or Da Shu in Chinese, is the 12th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, illustrating half a year have passed. It starts on July 22 this year. During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year.
Knowing ways to cool down yourself is very important!
1. Food to eat
Grass jelly, or "Xiancao" in Chinese, is a jelly-like dessert in south part of China. Grass jelly comes from Mint plant family. It tastes a little bit bitter, so it is typically served chilled with other toppings, such as fruits, or in drinks. (Photo source: Xinhua)
In southeast China's Fujian Province, a custom of eating litchi is a celebration of Major Heat. Litchi is a very nutritious fruit with high water content and high level of vitamin. (Photo source: Xinhua)
In east China's Shandong Province, having mutton soup on Major Heat is a famous custom. Why people eat such a hot dish on Major Heat? In fact, traditional Chinese medicine believes that eating mutton soup in hot weather can help toxin discharging of human body by sweating. (Photo source: Xinhua)
2. Have some drinks
Drink water is always one of the best ways to replenish lost water in your body!
Citizens buy cold drinks in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 15, 2017. As the maximum temperature in Shenyang reached 40 degrees Celsius, Liaoning provincial weather station launched a heat wave warning on Thursday. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Tea and green bean soup are good for cooling down in summer.
Qiuju, a tea art specialist, performs at a teahouse in Suining, southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 16, 2017. Despite the sweltering weather across many parts of the country, outdoor work does not stop. The central government ensures the rights of workers in the heat. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions has issued a directive prompting employers to reduce work time and workload during times of high temperatures. (Xinhua/Zhong Min)
A father (1st L) of an examinee of the national college entrance examination takes green bean soup outside the exam venue at No. 10 High School in Hefei City, capital of east China's Anhui Province, June 7, 2017. A total of 9.4 million Chinese students sit the annual national college entrance examination from Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
3. Have some fun
Activities with water are always the No.1 choice in summer!
A boy runs in fountains in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
People play with water at the Jinluanwan Bay of Dongshan County in southeast China's Fujian Province July 13, 2017. Summer heat has driven people to the seaside to enjoy the coolness in Dongshan County. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei)
A boy enjoys coolness beside a mist cooling system at the Bund in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2017. Mist cooling systems were used to bring coolness to visitors in Shanghai on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Qian)
4. Don't forget your daily “weapons” against sun-damage!
Tourists are seen covering heads with clothes at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, April 30, 2016. The highest temperature reached 31 degrees Celsius in Beijing Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Wen)
Children visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, April 30, 2016. The highest temperature reached 31 degrees Celsius in Beijing Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Wen)
In the end, not only people need to cool down in hot weather, animals too!
A police dog plays in the pool to cool down in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality July 19, 2017. Trainers use different methods to beat the heat for police dogs in Chongqing. (Xinhua/Cao Feng)
A monkey eats watermelon at a zoo in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, July 16, 2017. As hot weather continued, staff members of Quanzhou Wildlife Zoo offered watermelon, fans or air conditioners for animals. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiuqiang)
Photo taken on July 18, 2017 shows a panda holding ice cubes for coolness in Chongqing Zoo, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The hot weather has been lasted in Chongqing for days recently, and Chongqing Zoo took various measures to cool down animals according to their different life and dietary habits. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)
