As China marks the Beginning of Winter (Lidong), the first solar term of the winter season, a striking contrast unfolds between the icy north and the subtropical south. While temperatures plunge below zero in Beijing, Guangdong province remains warm, with daytime highs hovering around 25°C. Yet despite the balmy weather, ancient traditions of "nourishing winter" (bǔdōng) thrive here, an event now sharing the spotlight with another major occasion: the upcoming 15th National Games.
Beginning of Winter, which started on November 7 this year, signals a time when "all things turn to storage." In Guangdong, however, the shift is less about frost and more about rhythm. Streets remain lined with blooming kapok trees, and light jackets suffice for evenings that rarely dip below 16°C.
While northerners feast on dumplings to "protect their ears from frostbite," Cantonese families favor gentle, comforting recipes: herbal soups with goji berries, ginger-duck hotpot, or sugarcane tea. A key feature of Guangdong's Lidong table is seasonal leafy greens, especially cabbage.
This year, the cultural calm of the Beginning of Winter intersects with the energy of the 15th National Games. The event, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, will showcase world-class athletics alongside regional unity.
For visitors, the timing offers a dual experience: witnessing elite competition while observing how locals harmonize seasonal rhythms with modern life. As the Games unfold, events like cross-boundary cycling and marathon routes will physically connect the hosting regions.
Author & Poster | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus, Haizhu Fabu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
