The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Snow (Chinese: 大雪), the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 7 and ends on Dec 22.

During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground.The temperature drops significantly.

Here are six things you should know about Major Snow.

Snowy winter

The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "ice blockading for hundreds miles and snow flying through thousands miles". In the South, the snowflakes fly and the world turns white.

About the snow, a proverb goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest". As the snow covers the ground, pests living through the winter will be killed by the low temperature.

Snowy scenary in grasslands near Chifeng, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in December 2013.[Photo/IC]