As much of China welcomes the crisp days of early autumn with the arrival of the White Dew solar term (Báilù, 白露) on September 7, Guangdong remains firmly under the grip of summer's heat and humidity. With temperatures consistently hovering around 30°C and sudden rain showers punctuating periods of bright sunshine, many residents carry umbrellas for both shade and rain protection—a practical response to the city's still-volatile subtropical weather.
Address:
Shunde Eyangsha Ferry Pier, 40 meters southwest of Zhongshun Dawei, Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province （广东省佛山市顺德区中顺大围西南40米）
The White Dew traditionally signals a turning point—a time when cooling temperatures lead to dew formation on grasses and trees each morning, particularly in northern and central China. Yet in the Pearl River Delta, the shift is subtle at best. Humidity levels regularly exceed 80%, and daytime heat continues to dominate, leading to local conditions that feel like a "White Dew in name only."
Despite the persistent warmth, Guangzhou's communities continue to observe seasonal customs designed to nourish the body and adapt to the changing—if still hot—climate. Food stands and kitchens across the city emphasize cooling, moistening ingredients:
•Chrysanthemum tea: Chilled or steeped, valued for lowering body heat and blood pressure.
•Lotus seed soup: A lightly sweetened broth enjoyed for supporting lung health and improving sleep.
•Osmanthus sticky rice: A fragrant, warm dessert often infused with sweet osmanthus flowers, signaling seasonal transition.
•Steamed crab: Consumed for its yin-cooling properties, often paired with ginger to balance its cool nature.
Health practices also shift, albeit subtly. Families air out homes to reduce mold growth in the humid air, increase water intake and skin moisturizing, and adjust diets toward nutrient-rich, easily digestible foods to prevent seasonal colds. Many also maintain regular sleep schedules and engage in light exercise to counter the draining effect of humid nights.
Meteorologists note that Guangzhou's extended summer is influenced by the urban heat island effect and proximity to the South China Sea. While Beijingers begin wearing light jackets as temperatures dip toward 20°C, southern cities like Guangzhou often experience such cooler readings only by late October or early November.
White Dew
By Du Fu (Tang Dynasty)
Dew pearls gleam upon the citrus gold,
At dawn, I ride where scatter cold.
Gardens bloom, merging with stones and trees afar,
A boat drifts into the stream, beyond the bar.
Leaning on the desk, I watch fish dance with grace,
A swift whip stirs birds to their resting place.
Now I learn how autumn's fruits richly glean,
Yet fear lush paths—too many forks between.
Author | Feng Huiting
Poster | Feng Huiting
Editor | Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
