Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 22 and ends on Jan 5.
On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter.
The kinds of food people eat during the Winter Solstice vary from place to place, depending on local traditions. Generally, in North China, people eat dumplings to celebrate the festival.
By Sun Xiaofang
