First research base of 24 solar terms established

Officials unveil the plaque of a research base of the 24 Chinese solar terms in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Feb 2. [Photo/nmgcb]

A research base of China's 24 solar terms, established by Inner Mongolia Normal University (IMNU), was unveiled in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Feb 2, the first of its kind in Inner Mongolia.

“The research base will integrate online and offline educational resources to promote the 24-solar-term system among primary and secondary school students,” said Bian Jianping, director of the Development Research Center of the Cultural Industry in IMNU.

The research base will organize various activities themed on traditional customs with an aim of building a public platform for learning and experiencing traditional Chinese culture, according to Bian.

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms to indicate climate adjustments and proper agricultural activities. The 24 solar terms were added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity in 2016.

The research base also held folk events like eating spring pancakes and making clay cattle on the same day to mark “Lichun”, the beginning of Spring.