Quick Answer: When Is Shuangjiang?
Shuangjiang (霜降, Shuāngjiàng), or Frost Descent, is the last of the traditional autumn solar terms. It begins in late October, when the Sun’s apparent longitude reaches 210 degrees. In the Hong Kong Observatory’s almanac, it falls on October 23 in both 2026 and 2027. [1][2][3]
- Weather: First frost can arrive before or after this date, depending on local conditions. [4][5]
- Guangxi: The Zhuang First Frost Festival (壮族霜降节, Zhuàngzú Shuāngjiàng Jié) celebrates harvest in parts of Guangxi. [6][7]
- Fujian: Eating persimmons is a documented local custom. [8]
The solar term marks a date. The first frost and local celebrations follow their own timing.
In parts of Guangxi, the season of Frost Descent comes after the late rice harvest. The China Agricultural Museum describes families using new glutinous rice to make foods for relatives and friends. For those communities, the solar term marks a time to share the harvest. [6][7]
The Solar Date and the Turn Toward Winter
The Hong Kong Observatory lists Shuangjiang as Frost. It comes after Cold Dew at 195 degrees and before Start of Winter at 225 degrees. It closes the traditional autumn portion of the 24 solar terms. [1]
The Observatory’s almanacs give October 23 at 5:38 p.m. in 2026 and October 23 at 11:33 p.m. in 2027, both in Hong Kong time. A civil calendar prints the date of the crossing, while the term itself begins at a particular instant. [2][3]
When Frost Appears on the Ground
Frost consists of ice crystals on cold surfaces, such as the ground, leaves or grass. Leaves or grass can cool below freezing even when air a short distance above them is slightly warmer. A date on the calendar cannot show whether those conditions will occur at a particular site. [4]
China Weather Network describes first frost arriving earlier in parts of the northeast than in parts of central and southern China. Some far southern locations may go through a year without frost. The variation shows why the frost name is a seasonal marker in the autumn calendar. [1][5]
A Zhuang Harvest Festival and Fujian Persimmons
China’s national heritage inventory describes the Zhuang festival in Tiandeng and several nearby parts of Guangxi. It places local observances within nine days after the term. The festival grew out of rice-growing communities’ harvest celebrations. The heritage entry also records markets and exchanges of folk songs. Remembrance of Lady Wa (瓦氏夫人, Wǎshì Fūrén), a figure in local Ming-era history, became part of the festival. [6]
A China Agricultural Museum exhibit describes rice cakes and wrapped glutinous-rice foods made from the new crop. In a separate Fujian custom, a regional China Weather Network feature records eating persimmons around Frost Descent. In the Guangxi example, making and sharing food marks a successful rice harvest. In the Fujian example, seasonal fruit belongs to the solar term’s food customs. [7][8]
FAQs About Shuangjiang
Does Shuangjiang mean frost will appear that morning?
Shuangjiang begins at 210 degrees of solar longitude. Frost depends on local surface temperatures and moisture, so the dates can differ. [1][4][5]
Is the Zhuang First Frost Festival the same date everywhere?
The national heritage entry describes a local celebration in parts of Guangxi within nine days after Frost Descent. The precise date depends on the community. [6]
Sources
[1] Hong Kong Observatory. The 24 Solar Terms
[2] Hong Kong Observatory. 24 Solar Terms in 2026
[3] Hong Kong Observatory. 24 Solar Terms in 2027
[4] U.S. National Weather Service. Frost
[5] China Weather Network. Frost-Free Periods and Frost Descent
[6] China Intangible Cultural Heritage Digital Museum. Zhuang First Frost Festival
[7] China Agricultural Museum. Exhibit on the Zhuang First Frost Festival
[8] China Weather Network Fujian. Frost Descent and the Persimmon Custom