Explainer | Hong Kong’s hottest Xiaoshu: what does it mean and how can you cope?
With the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar heralding higher temperatures, the Post offers advice on how best to manage
Hong Kong experienced the hottest Xiaoshu on record on Tuesday, with the mercury at the Observatory hitting 34.3 degrees Celsius (93.7 Fahrenheit).
But the hottest weather was still yet to come, the forecaster warned.
The Post explains what Xiaoshu is and shares traditional Chinese remedies for coping with the heat.
1. What is Xiaoshu?
Xiaoshu, the 11th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, means minor or moderate heat and signifies the onset of summer, but not in full force. The period is marked by rising temperatures.
According to the Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health, it happens around July 7 each year.
“While the peak of summer has arrived, it is not yet the hottest period of the year,” it said.
The 24 Solar Terms is a calendar system developed by ancient Chinese people. It indicates seasonal changes, directs agricultural practices, and affects all aspects of daily life such as food, housing and transport.