The Winter Solstice(冬至) Festival is one of the most important (festival) celebrated by the Chinese on or around December 22. As early as 2,500 years ago, China determined the point of the Winter Solstice by (observe) movements of sun with a sundial (日晷).
The Winter Solstice became a festival during the Han Dynasty. The Han people (regard) the Winter Solstice as a "Winter Festival", so officials would organize activities. On this day, both officials and common people would have rest. In the Tang and Song dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices (供奉) Heaven and ancestors. The Qing Dynasty even had the record that "the Winter Solstice is as formal as the Spring Festival," showing the great (important) attached to this day. The Chinese often celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival together with (they) families.
Generally, what people eat depends on they come from. In some parts of North China, people(traditional) eat dumplings on this day, while in parts of South China, the whole family will get together to have a meal is made of red-bean and sticky rice to drive away bad things.
