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Read More →Beginning of Autumn, Liqiu (立秋), marks the beginning of autumn in the traditional Chinese seasonal division. In 2026 it falls on August 7 in Hong Kong Time (UTC+8), at a solar longitude of 135°.
Calendar position and meaning
Liqiu is not the September equinox, and it does not mean summer heat ends immediately. The next term is End of Heat, while the Autumn Equinox comes later.
| Chinese name | Liqiu (立秋) |
|---|---|
| Solar longitude | 135° |
| 2026 date | August 7, Hong Kong Time (UTC+8) |
| Adjacent terms | Great Heat → Beginning of Autumn → End of Heat |
Seasonal context
A food custom such as eating particular meats or melons needs a regional account. The calendar definition does not justify claiming that everyone should gain weight in autumn.
The seasonal word “autumn” 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.
Regional example and limits
Use Liqiu to compare local temperature and plant development with a named calendar point. Harvest stages differ by crop and region, and a warm August observation is not a contradiction of the astronomical date.
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.
Related reading
- 24 solar terms
- 24 solar terms calendar 2026
- chinese seasonal food calendar
- External cultural reference
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Beginning of Autumn in 2026?
August 7 in Hong Kong Time (UTC+8). The solar-term boundary is at 135° solar longitude; civil dates in other timezones can differ.
Does Beginning of Autumn predict local weather?
No. The term is defined astronomically. Its seasonal name does not establish the temperature, rainfall or snowfall at a particular location.
