Experience three iconic wonders this Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice (Dongzhi, Chinese: 冬至), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 21 and ends on Jan 4.

On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night of the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn.

In Beijing, there are three iconic wonders during the Winter Solstice. At the Forbidden City, sunlight reflects off its golden bricks, illuminating the "Bright and Glorious" plaque in the Palace of Heavenly Purity; at the Temple of Heaven, the "Supreme God of Heaven" plaque glows with sacred light, evoking ancient rituals; and at the Summer Palace, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge dazzles as golden rays pierce its arches, painting the lake with light.