Primary schools of Ningxia and Hong Kong exchange customs of Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice is an important solar term of the Chinese lunar calendar. On the first day of the Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night of the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season of the year.

A group photo of students of Yinchuan Experimental Primary School [Photo provided by Yinchuan Experimental Primary School]

Each year, students of Yinchuan Experimental Primary School have unique and interesting lessons on the Winter Solstice. This year, the school held an online activity with students of Yuen Long Government Primary School, exchanging local customs and interesting anecdotes of the Winter Solstice.

The online activity held by Yinchuan Experimental Primary School and Yuen Long Government Primary School [Photo provided by Yinchuan Experimental Primary School]

Eating Poon Choi is a local custom on the Winter Solstice in Hong Kong. On this day, people in Hong Kong reunite with their families and have dinner together. The cooking of Poon Choi requires numerous ingredients, and the dish is usually served in a large bowl, symbolizing people having adequate food for the year. After dinner, people also have Tangyuan, a kind of stuffed dumpling ball made of glutinous rice flour, symbolizing brightness and festivities.

In Ningxia Hui autonomous region, during the Winter Solstice, it is customary for people to have mutton and vermicelli soup with dumplings. They give this midwinter soup an unusual name - "brain" - and share it with their neighbors.

The online activity held by Yinchuan Experimental Primary School and Yuen Long Government Primary School has enhanced the friendship between the students of Ningxia and Hong Kong, providing opportunities for them to learn about each other's local culture and customs.