The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Cold Dew, the 17th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct 8 and ends on Oct 22.

中国传统农历将一年划分为24个节气。今年的第17个节气——寒露，将从10月8日开始，至10月22日结束。



At this time, temperatures are much lower than during White Dew in most areas of China. The dew is greater and colder and there will be less rain. Autumn crops will be ripe.

此时，中国大部分地区的气温已远低于白露时节。露水更多且更冷，降雨也会减少。秋季作物即将成熟。

Here are eight things you should know about Cold Dew.

以下是关于寒露的八大知识点。

Foggy autumn

秋雾弥漫

Temperatures drop significantly in October. When the cold air encounters autumn rain, the abundant water vapor in the air soon reaches saturation, and then it turns into misty rain or fog. When the humidity is high, there will be foggy regions formed in many areas of China.

十月份气温明显下降。当冷空气遭遇秋雨，空气中的水汽很快达到饱和，随后变成雾雨或雾。湿度较高时，中国许多地区会形成雾区。

Season for fishing

钓鱼好时节

People always say that fishing in shallow water in autumn makes sense. That's because during the Cold Dew period, temperatures decrease quickly and sunshine doesn't reach deep water thoroughly. Fish swim to shallow water areas where the water temperature is relatively high.

人们常说，秋天浅水区钓鱼更有意义。因为寒露期间，气温迅速下降，阳光无法彻底穿透深水区。鱼游到水温较高的浅水区。

Season for eating pomegranates

吃石榴的季节

Pomegranates are ripe during Cold Dew. Pomegranates have been cherished for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color, and health benefits for centuries.

寒露时节，石榴成熟。几个世纪以来，石榴因其精致的外观、风味、色彩和保健功效而备受珍视。

Season for drinking chrysanthemum wine

喝菊酒的季节

Chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew. To prevent autumn dryness, many regions in China have the custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine. This is a tradition of the Double Ninth Festival (on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar), which often falls around Cold Dew. According to ancient records, drinking wine made with chrysanthemums, poria cocos mushroom and pine oleoresin grants people longlasting youth.

菊花是寒露的标志性花卉。为防秋燥，中国许多地区都有饮菊花酒的习俗。这是重阳节（农历九月初九，常在寒露前后）的传统。据古籍记载，饮用菊花、茯苓和松脂酿制的酒可使人青春永驻。

Season for eating hawthorns

吃山楂的季节

There is a saying that goes "It is time to harvest hawthorn during Cold Dew." Extracts of the berries have long been used in herbal medicine. The antioxidants in hawthorn are thought to boost heart health by strengthening blood vessels and stimulating blood flow.

俗话说：“寒露时节收山楂。”山楂提取物在草药中已使用多年。山楂中的抗氧化剂被认为可以通过强化血管和刺激血流来促进心脏健康。

A great time for hiking

徒步好时机

During Cold Dew, North China takes on a look of late autumn with white clouds, red leaves and early frost. On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, people often climb hills with cornels, a kind of plant. This custom aims to dispel evils, and originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220).

寒露时节，华北地区呈现深秋景象，白云、红叶、早霜交相辉映。重阳节当天，人们常带着山茱萸（一种植物）登山。这一习俗旨在驱邪，起源于东汉（公元25-220年）。

Season for making kippers

腌制腊鱼的好时节

People of the Dong ethnic group in western Hunan province have the custom of making kippers during Cold Dew. It is said that kippers made on the day of Cold Dew with accessory foods, such as rice wine, salt, glutinous rice, pepper powder, paprika powder and ginger, are especially delicious.

湖南省西部的侗族人有寒露腌制腊鱼的习俗。据说，在寒露当天，用米酒、盐、糯米、胡椒粉、辣椒粉和生姜等配料腌制的腊鱼特别美味。

Season for picking camellia seeds

采摘油茶籽的季节

Southern Hunan province is a famous area for producing tea seed oil. People are not allowed to go to the mountains to pick the seeds until Cold Dew comes around.

湖南省南部是著名的茶籽油产区。人们必须等到寒露前后才能上山采摘油茶籽。

                                      素材来源：iYuba