The 24 solar terms, consisting of 12 major solar terms and 12 minor solar terms, were created thousands of years ago by the ancient Chinese to guide agricultural production.

Today, the culture behind the terms provides useful guidance to people's lives as each term features special food, cultural ceremonies and healthy living tips.

The Grain Buds, or Xiaoman in Chinese, is the eighth solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe.

During the Grain Buds period, the summer harvest is about to begin. Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which makes fish and shrimp big and fat. This is a good time to eat fish and shrimp. High temperatures and humidity are also common during the Grain Buds period.

Feel the vitality and passion of outdoor exercising together with Xinhua images!

Photos by: Jiang Hongjing, Jin Peng, Gu Jihong, Liang Debin, Song Wen■