The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into "24 solar terms" and White Dew (bai lu) – the 15th solar term of the year – begins this year on Sept 7 and ends on Sept 21.

White Dew indicates the real beginning of the cool autumn. The temperature declines gradually and vapors in the air often condense into white dew that covers the grass and trees at night.

Varying by geographical location, autumn comes earlier in the west and northeast of China. Right now, Kanas in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan province and the Greater Khingan Mountains in Northeastern China are entering the most beautiful season of the year.

From the first day of White Dew and as the season progresses, there is more and more dew. Although sunshine during the day still makes it hot, after sunset temperatures decrease rapidly. At night, water vapor in the air turns into small drops of water when it encounters cold temperatures.

These white water-drops line flowers, grass and trees. When the morning comes, sunshine makes them look crystal clear, spotless white and quite adorable.

Vocabulary:

白露

bái lù

White Dew

秋天

qiū tiān

autumn

天气逐渐转凉，昼夜温差加大。

tiān qì zhú jiàn zhuǎn liáng, zhòu yè wēn chā jiā dà

The weather is steadily cooling, and the temperature difference between day and night is widening.

白露时节，中国北方地区已明显感受到秋季的凉意。

bái lù shí jié, zhōng guó běi fāng dì qū yǐ míng xiǎn gǎn shòu dào qiū jì de liáng yì

During the White Dew season, the northern regions of China already feel the autumn chill.