The winds over West Lake still carry the lingering heat of summer, while northern China has already welcomed the coolness of autumn.

Here in Hangzhou, people are still enduring the blazing test of the “Autumn Tiger”（an intriguing and distinctive meteorological phenomenon in Chinese folklore that refers to a short period of re-intensified hot weather following the start of autumn）.

With the arrival of End of Heat (Chushu)—the solar term that marks the retreat of summer heat, we are in the hope of walking out of the scorching season. But how do we find balance between the heat of summer and the cool of autumn? In today’s episode of Solar Terms and the Universe, we explore how Hangzhou people embrace wellness at this special time.

Hangzhou is not only home to the poetic West Lake and bustling Qinghefang, but also to a time-honored tradition of Traditional Chinese Medicine deeply woven into daily life. Since ancient times, this city has always carried its own “medicinal fragrance.” Now, many centuries-old TCM brands are preserving tradition while embracing innovation, to bring Chinese medicine closer to modern life.

This episode is presented by Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism, and Hangzhou Municipal Health Commission, co-produced by Hangzhou International Communication Center and Metro Express, with support from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Fang Hui Chun Tang, and Liucuijingxiang Community of Qingbo Sub-district. Together, we step into Fang Hui Chun Tang, founded in 1649, and into local Hangzhou communities to uncover wellness tips for End of Heat.

How do we beat the lingering summer heat in autumn?

End of Heat (Chushu) is the second solar term of autumn, meaning “the heat begins to fade.” Yet in southern China, daytime temperatures often remain high, leaving people easily drained, overheated, and irritable.

According to TCM, the key to health during End of Heat (Chushu) is “dispersing summer dampness, moisturizing dryness, and nourishing the lungs.” Light and cooling drinks are recommended over spicy, greasy foods. Lifestyle adjustments include avoiding excessive cold exposure, adding a layer in the mornings and evenings, and keeping a calm, balanced state of mind in tune with the season.

Have you had your first cup of wellness tea this autumn?

Walking through Southern Song Imperial Street or the Qiaoxi district, you'll find Hangzhou's traditional pharmacies offering not just herbal decoctions and pills, but also a new wave of innovative TCM-inspired drinks. For example, blends of agastache, honeysuckle, and fresh fruits are crafted into cooling summer teas, while dried tangerine peel(Chen Pi), chrysanthemum, and green tea combine into refreshing late-summer brews.

These drinks retain the health benefits of traditional herbs while meeting modern tastes, giving TCM a fresh touch to capture the spotlight.

Beyond the innovation of long-standing brands, the warmth of wellness is also alive in Hangzhou's communities. During this End of Heat (Chushu), we join Hangzhou natives from Liucuijingxiang Community of Qingbo Sub-district to handcraft Chenpi (aged tangerine peel) tea.

Chenpi is a household staple in many Hangzhou families. It regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, moistens the lungs, and relieves phlegm—an ideal remedy against the “Autumn Tiger.” As residents sliced, dried, and brewed the Chenpi, they shared both practical tips and treasured memories. Each steaming cup of Chenpi tea was not only a cure for the summer heat, but also a sip of the community's warmth in its simplest form.

This weekend, refresh yourself at the TCM Cultural & Tourism Market!

From August 23 to 24, 17:00–21:00, the “Hangzhou TCM Cultural & Tourism Market” will take place simultaneously in Qinghefang and Qiaoxi Historical Block.

The two places are where you can taste innovative TCM drinks, try traditional handicrafts, and enjoy the liveliness of a local market, and where the old meets the new with your immersive hands-on experiences of Chinese medicine culture.Sip cooling herbal teas, make a health sachet, bid farewell to the heat, and welcome the crispness of autumn.