Celebrating Winter Solstice in China: A Festival of Dumplings, Healthy Eating, and Good Wishes
①On November 8, at 0:36, the beginning of winter officially marked its arrival in China. This was a signal for northern regions to enter into a period of cold weather and for people to pay special attention to nourishing their bodies as they prepare for spring next year. Many people in the north start eating dumplings on the first day of winter, considering it an essential tradition during reunion feasts, holiday celebrations, and New Year's Day gatherings.
8 November 2023
②However, there is a special emphasis on eating dumplings during the Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In ancient China, it was believed that winter brought an end to everything, hence the name "winter solstice". This tradition is not just limited to the north but has become a nationwide phenomenon where people associate this festival with the customary practice of gorging on dumplings.
③On Winter Solstice, as the day begins, it's common for Chinese netizens on Weibo and other social media platforms to raise the question: What do you eat during the Winter Solstice? People often share their favorite dumpling recipes and tips for making delicious jiaozi. One such tip is an interesting way to taste your preferred filling within a minute, which will make you feel like a master of Chinese cuisine. This involves taking small bites of different dumplings to determine whether you prefer pork or vegetable fillings and enjoy spicy or mild flavors.
④As winter approaches, the focus shifts to maintaining good health, and it is recommended to eat light foods, avoid fatty and greasy fast food, which can cause accumulation of waste and lead to poor sleep. Drinking barley tea, pericardium saposhnikoviae water, white radish soup, radish steamer, eight treasures powder, pickled broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, stir-fried/boiled green vegetables are all recommended as healthy eating habits. Simple exercises like quick walking, jogging, standing meditation, eight-part stretching, kung fu, and simple HIIT can also help maintain good health during winter.
⑤On Winter Solstice, people usually enjoy a warm cup of tea while celebrating the festival and wishing everyone unexpected luck and sudden joy. Netizens share their love for dumplings and how they form an integral part of reunion feasts in northern China. Whether eaten in the morning, at noon, or in the evening, dumplings have become a staple food for many Chinese people during Winter Solstice and other special occasions.
⑥However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about winter dumplings. Some netizens jokingly tweeted that they would rather enjoy other foods during the winter solstice. For instance, one person shared a picture of people standing in front of a hot pot stall in a restaurant and tweeted that college students
