The 24 solar terms, consisting of 12 major solar terms and 12 minor solar terms, were created thousands of years ago by the ancient Chinese to guide agricultural production.

Today, the culture behind the terms provides useful guidance to people's lives as each term features special food, cultural ceremonies and healthy living tips.

Winter Solstice, also known as "Dong Zhi" in Chinese, falls on Dec. 21 this year and is the 22nd of the 24 Solar Terms on the Chinese lunar calendar.

Winter Solstice has the shortest day of the year. On this day, people in northern China eat dumplings while people in the south eat tangyuan, or rice ball soup. Exercising can also help people keep warm in the deep winter.

Have a touch upon the vitality and passion of outdoor exercising together with Xinhua images!

Photo by: Liang Zidong, Liu Mancang, Ren Chao, Xiao Benxiang, Xiao Yijiu, Xu Yu, Zhang Chunxiang, Zhang Tao