News Update: For agriculture, the Start of Autumn signifies an impending harvest.

Heilongjiang: Fertile Black Soil Nurtures a Bountiful Corn Crop

In Heilongjiang, one of China’s major grain-producing regions, this is a crucial period for corn growth. With vigorous photosynthesis, the corn enters the grain-filling stage, where kernels develop and accumulate nutrients like starch and protein—key to yield formation. The image shows the high-yield corn demonstration area at Baoquanling Farm under the Beidahuang Group. The lush green fields are thriving. Workers are using smart irrigation and fertilization systems to precisely manage water and nutrients. The corn is expected to mature in about a month and a half.

Chongqing: Rice Harvest Progresses from West to East

Now we turn to Chongqing. In recent days, rice harvesting has begun in Yongchuan, Rongchang, and other areas. In Zhutuo Town, Yongchuan District, to facilitate large-scale mechanized harvesting, local authorities have deployed all available agricultural machinery and set up cross-regional harvest service stations. These stations coordinate harvesting teams from Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu to assist local farmers. Chongqing maintains an annual rice planting area of around 10 million mu (667,000 hectares). The autumn harvest will progress from west to east and from low to high-altitude areas, with most rice expected to be harvested by late October.

Wuyuan, Jiangxi: “Shai Qiu” – Celebrating Harvest with Sun-Dried Crops

During the Start of Autumn, sun-drying harvested crops is a long-standing tradition in many regions. The saying goes, “Dry crops in autumn, and grains will never worry you.” Here in Huangling, Wuyuan, Jiangxi, spring sees bamboo shoots and ferns dried, while summer features fruits and vegetables. By autumn, bamboo trays are filled with red peppers, kidney beans, and rice—symbolizing the villagers’ connection to the harvest season. With the growth of rural tourism, Huangling’s “Shai Qiu” (sun-drying autumn crops) has evolved from a folk custom into a unique attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide.

Western Hunan: Miao People Celebrate the “Gan Qiu” Festival

The Start of Autumn is one of the key seasonal festivals. In traditional agrarian society, people attached great importance to its agricultural significance, with rich customs like autumn sacrificial rites and ceremonies honoring heaven and earth—many of which endure today. In western Hunan, the Miao people celebrate “Gan Qiu” on the day of the Start of Autumn. On the morning of August 7, in Pailiao Village, Shuanglong Town, Huayuan County, festivities began with welcoming ceremonies, Miao drum performances, folk songs, and displays of intangible cultural heritage crafts and local agricultural products. The event lasts three days. “Gan Qiu” is not only a major festival celebrating the harvest and socializing for young people but also a national intangible cultural heritage, listed alongside China’s “24 Solar Terms” by UNESCO.

Start of Autumn

“Start of Autumn” (立秋, Liqiu) is one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, marking the beginning of autumn around August 7th or 8th each year. Historically, it signaled the transition from the hot summer to the harvest season, with farmers preparing to gather crops and communities celebrating with seasonal foods like autumn peaches and sticky rice. While not a physical site, it reflects China’s agricultural heritage and cultural emphasis on harmony with nature.

Heilongjiang

Heilongjiang is a province in northeastern China, known for its cold winters, rich natural resources, and border with Russia. Historically, it was home to indigenous ethnic groups like the Manchus and became a significant region during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). Today, it is famous for the Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, Russian-influenced architecture, and its role in trade with neighboring Russia.

Baoquanling Farm

Baoquanling Farm is a state-owned agricultural farm located in Heilongjiang Province, China, established in the mid-20th century as part of the country’s efforts to develop large-scale mechanized farming. Originally founded to boost grain production, it became a key site for agricultural innovation and land reclamation in the region. Today, it remains an important agricultural hub, contributing to China’s food security while reflecting the history of socialist-era farming practices.

Beidahuang Group

The Beidahuang Group is a large state-owned agricultural enterprise in Heilongjiang Province, China, known for developing the vast “Great Northern Wilderness” (Beidahuang) into fertile farmland. Established in the 1950s, it played a key role in China’s agricultural expansion, transforming marshlands into one of the country’s most important grain-producing regions. Today, it remains a major player in China’s agriculture, specializing in crops like soybeans, wheat, and corn.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major metropolis in southwestern China, situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, it served as the wartime capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). Today, it is known for its mountainous terrain, spicy cuisine, and rapid urban development as a key economic hub.

Wuyuan, Jiangxi

Wuyuan, located in Jiangxi Province, China, is renowned for its picturesque countryside, traditional Hui-style architecture, and vibrant seasonal landscapes, particularly its stunning yellow rapeseed flower fields in spring. Often called “the most beautiful rural area in China,” Wuyuan has a history dating back over 1,200 years and preserves ancient villages, ancestral halls, and arched bridges from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The region is also celebrated for its tea culture, being the origin of *Wuyuan green tea*, a tribute tea in imperial times.

Huangling

Huangling, also known as the Yellow Mausoleum, is the tomb of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), a legendary figure revered as the ancestor of Chinese civilization. Located in Shaanxi Province, it is a significant cultural and historical site, often visited for ceremonial purposes, especially during the Qingming Festival. The site symbolizes Chinese heritage and national identity, with a history of worship dating back over 2,000 years.

Western Hunan

Western Hunan, located in China’s Hunan Province, is a culturally rich region known for its stunning natural landscapes, including the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which inspired the scenery in *Avatar*. The area is home to diverse ethnic minority groups, such as the Tujia and Miao, who preserve traditional customs, festivals, and stilt-house architecture. Historically, it was a remote frontier region, with its unique culture shaped by mountainous terrain and relative isolation.