Xiazhi, or Summer Solstice, is one of the solar terms.
It occurs when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun.
The arrival of Xiazhi represents the start of midsummer. At this time, days are still longer than nights.
Xiazhi is also an important folk festival in China. Folks developed customs like eating cold noodles and worshiping the earth, praying for protection from the summer heat and hoping for a good autumn harvest.
Produced by Xinhua Global Service
