People are attracted by the red maple leaves growing on trees in Wuxi. [Photo/jschina.com.cn]

When leaves begin to change color, birds begin to migrate, and farms are ready for harvest, there's no clearer sign that autumn is officially here.

Sept 22 marks the Autumn Equinox, the 16th solar term of the year, which will end on Oct 7 this year.

By this time, cool autumn weather has reached most areas in China. When cold air heading south meets with warm humid air, precipitation results. The temperature in Wuxi has been dropping quickly in recent days.

This is the time of year when many in Wuxi eat crabs and mutton soup, which are believed to help nourish bone marrow and expel heat from the body.