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Read More →Beginning of Winter customs vary by community. A documented example is kimchi-making among Korean communities in Yanbian, Jilin, as the winter season begins.
Beginning of Winter, Lidong (立冬), marks the start of winter in the traditional Chinese seasonal sequence. In 2026 it falls on November 7 in Hong Kong Time (UTC+8), at a solar longitude of 225°.
Calendar position and meaning
Lidong is an opening seasonal marker; Dongzhi, the Winter Solstice, is a different term later in winter. Neither means that every location freezes that day.
| Chinese name | Lidong (立冬) |
|---|---|
| Solar longitude | 225° |
| 2026 date | November 7, Hong Kong Time (UTC+8) |
| Adjacent terms | Frost Descent → Beginning of Winter → Minor Snow |
Regional customs and their evidence
China Daily reports kimchi-making at the start of winter in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin. This is a community-specific food practice, not a custom shared by every household in China.
The seasonal word “winter” here follows the traditional Northern Hemisphere calendar. The Hong Kong Observatory relates many term names to ancient central Chinese weather and agriculture. Local weather and plant development may differ; Southern Hemisphere seasonal timing is reversed.
What the calendar does not establish
A family meal can be part of a local observance, but it should not be described as a prescription to eat more meat or as protection against illness.
Regional example source: read the named account. The account supports the place and practice stated above, not medical benefits or a national rule.
Calendar sources
Hong Kong Observatory: term names and solar longitudes; 2026 Gregorian–lunar conversion table; date and time notes (Hong Kong Time, UTC+8). The calendar sources establish astronomical timing and terminology; they do not verify regional customs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Beginning of Winter in 2026?
November 7 in Hong Kong Time (UTC+8). The solar-term boundary is at 225° solar longitude; civil dates in other timezones can differ.
Is there one Beginning of Winter custom for all of China?
No. Customs require place-specific sources and vary between communities and households. The astronomical calendar does not establish a national food or ritual rule.
