Culture insider: 7 things you might not know about Summer Solstice

Eating dog meat and lychee

In the southern part of China, during the Summer Solstice eating dog meat and lychee has been a long tradition. People in Guangdong, Guangxi, Qinzhou, Yulin and and other regions love eating dog meat and lychee during the summer. It is said that in summer solstice, eating the dog meat and lychee together will cause less “internal heat” (上火) to the body.

In the south China, the habit of eating dog meat and lychee during summer solstice lasts until today. Yet the dog meat-eating festival in Yulin has stirred far more intense public debate. The controversy over the festival reveals the confrontation between traditional customs and the modern idea of animal protection.