Winter Solstice (Chinese: 冬至), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 22.

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

From then on, the days become longerand the nights become shorter. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year.