Major Cold. [Photo/dpm.org.cn]

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Cold (Chinese: 大寒), the 24th solar term, begins this year on Jan 20 and ends on Feb 3.

Major Cold is the last solar term in winter and also the last solar term in the annual lunar calendar. In this period, snow, rain and icy cold weather exert a big influence on people's lives.

Here are six things you should know about Major Cold.

"Dispelling cold cake". [File photo]

Eating "dispelling cold cake"

During Major Cold, People in Beijing have a habit of eating "dispelling cold cake", a kind of rice cake. In Chinese the word "rice cake" has the same pronunciation with the word "higher in a new year", which symbolizes good luck and continual promotion.

Spring rolls. [Photo/sipaphoto.com]

Eating fried spring rolls

In Anqing of Anhui province, people traditionally eat fried spring rolls during Major Cold. The stuffing inside the spring roll contains meat or vegetables and the flavor can be salty or sweet.

Stewed soup. [Photo/sipaphoto.com]

Drinking stewed soup

Residents in Nanjing of Jiangsu province like to drink stewed soup during Major Cold. They always stew the aged hen soup with ginseng, matrimony vine and black fungus.