"Liqiu" is the 13th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, reflecting the withdrawal of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Every year, "Liqiu" falls on the 7th or 8th of August. This year, it falls on August 7.

When "Liqiu" comes, summer is passing away and the weather turns cold gradually. Although it may remain hot for some time in many places of China even after "Liqiu", the weather tends to cool down.

In ancient times,"Liqiu" was divided into three phases, and 5 days in each phase: "In the fist phase comes the cool wind; in the second phase fall the white dews; and in the third phase cry the cicadas."

Summer ends and the harvest season comes

Autumn is a season of harvest. It is the time that autumn crops come into their crucial growing stage.

-- Farmers busy with sowing after "Liqiu"

-- Early autumn harvest in the lotus pond

-- Fishing harvest in South China

Customs about "Liqiu" are usually about delicious food

After "Liqiu", it's popular to "get the autumn fat", which is also called "Tie Qiu Biao" in Chinese. Since people have little appetite during the hot summer, cooling autumn becomes a season to make up fat lost during summer, and take in nutrition for the coming winter.

Thus, meat dishes are indispensable, especially in north east China.

"Ken Qiu" or "Yao Qiu", meaning "biting into autumn", is also a part of the ancient food traditions on the beginning day of autumn to fight against scorching hot after summer.

People usually eat watermelon and peaches, which was said to stave off bad health and prevent ailments related to the changing of seasons.