At 19:42 Beijing time on August 7, the sun reached the celestial longitude of 135°, marking the arrival of the 13th of the 24 solar terms – the first solar term of autumn. "Li" signifies the beginning, and so the early autumn season officially starts.

But don't let the word "autumn" fool you.

Autumn Has Arrived, but Summer Heat Lingers

This year's Start of Autumn falls at 19:42 in the evening, which in folk terms is a "late autumn." As the old saying goes: "An early autumn brings cool breezes; a late autumn heats even the oxen to death." Add to that the fact that this solar term coincides with the middle phase of the sanfu days, creating a classic "autumn-wrapped-heat" weather pattern.

This lingering summer heat is playfully nicknamed the "autumn tiger" – autumn has officially arrived, yet the heat refuses to retreat. As another proverb puts it: "Start of Autumn feels hotter than Great Heat; around noon, it's like sitting by a fire."

Since It's Hot on Land, Why Not Go Underwater?

On land, it's the "autumn tiger."

Underwater, it's a different world. Water dissipates heat 25 times more efficiently than air. While you're sweltering in 35°C+ heat on land, the 26–28°C coolness beneath the surface becomes summer's last refuge.

A fog-free mask lets you take in every detail of the underwater view. A pair of comfortable foot pockets lets you kick freely and glide with ease. Great gear won't change the weather – but it can give you one more cool escape on those days when the "autumn tiger" is at its fiercest.