小暑

Minor Heat, the eleventh solar term of the traditional Chinese calendar, signals the beginning of the hot summer.

Though not the hottest period yet, it prepares us for the extreme heat of Major Heat.

A popular saying goes, " Minor Heat and Major Heat, steaming and boiling. "

During Minor Heat, thunderstorms are frequent in many parts of China.

This period also marks the beginning of the hottest and most humid days of the year, known as the " dog days" or " Sanfu" .

These days are critical for crops, as the simultaneous rain and heat promote growth.