冬至:平衡阴阳的时刻

It's Monday December the 22nd - and that means it's the Winter Solstice on the Chinese calender - the shortest day of the year. In ancient China, this was the day that the Emperor would worship at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing - one of the nation's most important ceremonies. In the fast moving modern era, many Chinese people still mark the Solstice, spending time with families and eating special food.

Since ancient times The Winter Solstice has been considered just as significant as Spring Festival.

It marks the start of China's coldest time of the year. That's why dumplings are the order of the day, just like Chinese New Year.

In southern China, it's all about rice dumplings and noodles. Instant versions are a sell out, reflecting the pace of of modern life.

But there's also a unique health aspect to the occasion.

"During this period the positive energy of our bodies, which we call the Yang, begins to rise...and the negative energy, the Yin, begins to decline. So this is a good time to adjust our diet and take in more nutrition to store up on the Yang. Generally, foods that are black can have this effect, like black rice. This is also a good time to get acupuncture and to avoid intense exercise after sunset," said Wang Yi, acupuncturist.

A special herb is used in acupuncture, that helps stimulate pressure points near the waist, revitalizing the body.

Modern medicine is widely use in China. But traditional healing remains hugely popular.

There's no better time to get your body ready for the new year ahead, than during the Winter Solstice.