The Winter Solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year and the fourth solar term of winter, begins this year on Dec 21. It marks the arrival of the coldest season of the year.
The Winter Solstice is also an important festival in China. There is an old saying that goes "The Winter Solstice is no less important than the Spring Festival".
In the north of China, it is common to eat dumplings that day, while in the south, it is the custom to worship ancestors and have a family feast.
Eating wontons and sweet rice balls is the Winter Solstice custom of people in Zhangjiagang, East China's Jiangsu province. Wontons are generally large and filled with vegetables and meat. The rice balls are often stuffed with shredded radish and pork, and are also available with red bean paste filling.
Rice balls are commonly eaten on the Winter Solstice. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]
Families will gather together to celebrate the special day. They make wontons and rice balls, eat mutton, and drink sweet wine as they enjoy a sumptuous festive reunion meal.