Qiufen or "Autumnal Equinox," the 16th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, falls on September 23 this year. During this period, autumn colors can be seen in many parts of China. China's second "Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival" is held on the same day to celebrate the harvest season.

Qiufen is the midpoint of autumn. From here on, days will be shorter and nights will be longer in the Northern Hemisphere.

In the past, Qiufen was the day for people to worship the moon. However, the specific date of Qiufen was unfixed, so the "moon-worship day" was rescheduled for the Mid-Autumn Day, when the moon was at its brightest and roundest.

On Qiufen, people in South China would pray for good health by eating "Qiucai"——also known as autumn vegetable, which is a kind of wild amaranth.