From July 22 to 24 each year, when the sun reaches 120 degrees of longitude, we welcome the twelfth solar term — Major Heat. This is also the last solar term of summer.

Major Heat is even hotter than Lesser Heat. It represents the time of year when the sun is at its most intense, temperatures are at their highest, and thunderstorms are frequent. During this period, the heat is extreme, and abundant rainfall promotes vigorous growth in nature.

Meteorological conditions

During Major Heat, most parts of China experience their hottest period of the year. Except for the Tibetan Plateau and the northern parts of Northeast China, the weather in most regions is sweltering, with temperatures of 35°C being commonplace and often reaching 40°C.

Cultural significance 

Drinking summer tea: As the name suggests, this is tea consumed during the hot summer days. This summer tea is typically brewed from a mix of herbal ingredients like honeysuckle, summer flower, licorice, and more, providing a cooling effect to combat the heat.

Sun-drying ginger: Following the saying "Eat radish in winter, ginger in summer," during the hot days, people slice fresh ginger or extract its juice, mix it with brown sugar, and place it in a container covered with cheesecloth to dry in the sun. After sufficient exposure, the two ingredients meld together for consumption. This sun-dried ginger contains a rich amount of gingerol, which helps dispel dampness and cold, providing warmth and health benefits.