As temperatures plunge and snow blankets northern China, farmers are in a frenzied dash to harvest crops during Major Snow—the 21st solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar. This ancient system of 24 solar terms, dating back thousands of years, still dictates planting and harvesting cycles for millions of farmers today.
Major Snow (Dec. 7-21) marks the year's deepest cold snap, with northern regions like Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia seeing heavy snowfall. Farmers are working overtime to secure food supplies for winter, balancing tradition with modern urgency.
Why It Matters:
Solar terms blend astronomy and agriculture, acting as a \"nature-based calendar\" long before apps existed
Winter harvests of wheat, cabbage, and root vegetables are critical for seasonal food security
Over 40% of China's rural workforce still relies on these cycles—even in our tech-driven world
While cities buzz with holiday shopping, rural areas showcase a different kind of hustle. \"Every snowflake counts now,\" says a Shandong farmer, echoing a sentiment felt across fields nationwide.
This ancient system of 24 solar terms, dating back thousands of years, still dictates planting and harvesting cycles for millions of farmers today.
Solar terms blend astronomy and agriculture, acting as a \"nature-based calendar\" long before apps existed
\"Every snowflake counts now,\" says a Shandong farmer, echoing a sentiment felt across fields nationwide.
