BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- "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."
Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2017 shows a fallen leaf lying on the wet ground in Xuyi, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Haijun)
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"
Farmers work in the fields in Jiazhai Township of Liaocheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 7, 2017. Chinese solar term "beginning of autumn" falls on Aug. 7 this year. (Xinhua/Zhao Yuguo)
-- Early autumn harvest in the lotus pond
Early autumn harvest in the lotus pond Farmers pick lotus seeds in a lotus pond in Changxing county, East China's Zhejiang province, Aug 12, 2015. Liqiu, the Start of Autumn, not only foretells the end of the scorching summer, but also marks the approaching harvest season. It has been a tradition for farmers to pick lotus seeds in the Yangtze River Delta Area every year after Liqiu, one of the 24 solar terms that falls on Aug 8 this year. (Photo/Xinhua)
-- Fishing harvest in South China
Fishermen unload fishes on a dock in Qionghai City, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 7, 2016. Sunday marks "Liqiu", the first day of autumn on Chinese lunar calendar. (Xinhua/Meng Zhongde)
