Winter officially begins in China

December 22nd marks Dong Zhi, or the Winter Solstice Festival, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The day is one of the most important festivals of the year for the Chinese and other East Asians.

Dong Zhi marks the day when sunshine is at its weakest, and daylight is shortest. Traditionally, the Dong Zhi Festival is also a time for family reunions. In southern China, people prepare Tangyuan, or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolize reunion. In northern China, people typically eat dumplings on Dong Zhi.