The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. White dew, the 15th solar term of the year, begins on Sept 7 this year and ends on Sept 22.

White dew signals the arrival of autumn. The temperature declines gradually and the vapors in the air often condense into white dew on the grass and trees at night.

White dew is a time for people in Taihu Lake, East China’s Jiangsu province to offer sacrifices to Da Yu, a hero who tamed floods by regulating rivers and watercourses.

In Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, people gather 10 herbal medicines that contain the word “bai” (“white” in Chinese) on white dew, such as baimujin (white hibiscus). Stewing these herbal medicines with black-bone chicken or duck is believed to be very nutritious.

In Tangcheng county, Shandong province, children play with swallow handcarts, a sharpened wooden cart in the shape of a swallow, on the first day of white dew. Locals believe playing with these toys while running is a good way for children to get their exercises.

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