End of Heat

The End of Heat comes between August 22 and 24. This is a solar term reflecting the change in temperature. From this solar term on, it gets cooler and cooler with each passing day. In most parts of China, the rainy season draws to an end. It is customary around this time to pay respects to ancestors and welcome the harvest season.

The Zhongyuan Festival is on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Like the Festival of Pure Brightness (in spring), it's also a day for people to pay tribute to their ancestors. On this day, people take fresh jujubes, grapes, and some other fruits to their ancestors' tombstones. At night, they place lotus lanterns on the river. They hope the lanterns can take their yearning to their deceased family members.