Liqiu, or the Start of Autumn, is the thirteenth of the 24 solar terms and marks the start of autumn. When the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 135°, it signifies the transition from summer to autumn. During this period, temperatures gradually decline, autumn winds begin to rise, autumn rains become frequent, and crops start to mature.

Meteorological conditions 

Liqiu is not a definitive boundary between the heat of summer and the coolness of autumn; the weather does not immediately cool down and will still be accompanied by the lingering heat of summer. According to climatic patterns, during Liqiu, the summer heat persists, and the autumn sun can be intense. Sometimes, there may even be brief periods of hot weather, commonly referred to as the "Autumn Tiger".

However, after Liqiu, a fall rain or a gust of autumn wind can lead to a drop in temperature, which is why there is a saying, "A fall rain brings a chill." People generally start to feel the coolness of autumn only after the White Dew solar term.

Cultural significance 

Tie Qiu Biao, or Gaining Autumn Weight: In ancient times, people would weigh themselves at Lixia, or Start of Summer, and Liqiu, comparing their weights to see how much fat they had lost. They would then head to the market to select several pounds of good meat, which could be stewed, roasted, or braised. These meat dishes would be served at the table, "adding meat to build up fat" and boosting nutrition in preparation for the cooler days of autumn and the cold of winter.

Shai Qiu, or Drying Crops in Autumn: In mountainous villages of Hunan, Anhui, and Jiangxi, where there is no flat land for drying crops, residents make use of their front and back yards, window sills, and rooftops to sun-dry their agricultural products. Over time, this practice has evolved into a traditional rural custom.

Ken Qiu, or Biting into Autumn: Eating watermelon as a practice of "Ken Qiu" is a custom primarily observed in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions during Liqiu. It is believed that this helps prevent ailments such as heat rash, diarrhea, and malaria, while also symbolizing the welcoming of autumn.

Health tips

After Liqiu, the heat gradually dissipates, and the dryness of autumn begins to set in. During hot afternoons, it's advisable to drink refreshing porridge or soups to cool down. Additionally, people should switch to nourishing and hydrating porridge or soups to protect the spleen and stomach and nourish lung yin.