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Golden spots for viewing autumn
By Xu Wenwen |
November 14, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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THE lingering sweet scent of osmanthus blooms, together with golden, red and orange late autumn tints are an irresistible combination for visitors to Hangzhou at this time of year.
The scenic city has distinct charms in each season, and now is the ideal time to catch late fall and touches of early winter.
Such a beautiful scene lasts only a week or two: then phoenix tree leaves turn crimson; gingko leaves become transparent gold; and the seed heads of reeds are cast about in winter gusts.
Making the most of the recent lovely sunshine, Shanghai Daily took the opportunity to wander beneath trees and among reeds to
find some of the city's best spots for an autumn stroll.
Gingko trees @ Huayuan Lane and Yangjia Village
At more than 100 meters, Huayuan Lane between Chaohui Park and a small river is a great place for a walk and taking photographs, as some 300 gingko trees fringing the path turn gold in late autumn.
For a perfect autumn walk, take a stroll down the sun-dappled path, your feet scrunching among fallen leaves with all their mottled shades. And gazing at the crowns of the trees, with their lemon yellow leaves against a clear blue sky, will surely warm your heart against any winter chill.
Yangjia Village is at the junction of Fuyang, Lin'an and Tonglu, and boasts thousands of gingko trees extending several kilometers, creating a scene at once idyllic and magnificent.
The village is composed of many smaller hamlets, and the trees are not planted in lines, but grow naturally between farmers' houses, their yellow tones creating a serene landscape.
Gingko grows slowly; in Chinese it is known as the "grandpa-and-grandson tree," which means that a man may plant the tree while young, yet will only see it bear fruit when he is old enough to have a grandson.
The tree needs at least 20 years to fruit, and in Yangjia Village the tradition of growing gingko started 500 years ago. Today, the gingko we see there are mostly more than 100 years old.Phoenix trees @ Beishan Road and Nanshan Road
The number of people who walk, jog and cycle from Beishan Road to Nanshan Road bears testimony to the route's popularity. And at this time of year they can enjoy the sunshine, the West Lake and the phoenix trees, currently adorned in fiery golds and reds.
More than 500 phoenix trees, all 50 or 60 years old, line the route and because of high humidity due to their proximity to the lake, many leaves do not fall right after taking their crimson colors. Instead, they linger on the branches for the final days of autumn.
Reeds @ Xixi Wetland
Xixi Wetland is renowned for its reed beds, and the area named "Snowy Reeds in Xixi" has been a must-see attraction since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
At this time of year, the tall wetland grasses are especially beautiful, when their seed heads catch the gold of the setting sun and blow in the breeze. The best spot to appreciate them is Qiuxue Nunnery, nowadays an old-style home, on a small island.
Located at the center of the Xixi Wetland, and requiring a boat ride to get there, Qiuxue Nunnery is surrounded by reeds. These are at their best until January.
The scenic city has distinct charms in each season, and now is the ideal time to catch late fall and touches of early winter.
Such a beautiful scene lasts only a week or two: then phoenix tree leaves turn crimson; gingko leaves become transparent gold; and the seed heads of reeds are cast about in winter gusts.
Making the most of the recent lovely sunshine, Shanghai Daily took the opportunity to wander beneath trees and among reeds to
find some of the city's best spots for an autumn stroll.
Gingko trees @ Huayuan Lane and Yangjia Village
At more than 100 meters, Huayuan Lane between Chaohui Park and a small river is a great place for a walk and taking photographs, as some 300 gingko trees fringing the path turn gold in late autumn.
For a perfect autumn walk, take a stroll down the sun-dappled path, your feet scrunching among fallen leaves with all their mottled shades. And gazing at the crowns of the trees, with their lemon yellow leaves against a clear blue sky, will surely warm your heart against any winter chill.
Yangjia Village is at the junction of Fuyang, Lin'an and Tonglu, and boasts thousands of gingko trees extending several kilometers, creating a scene at once idyllic and magnificent.
The village is composed of many smaller hamlets, and the trees are not planted in lines, but grow naturally between farmers' houses, their yellow tones creating a serene landscape.
Gingko grows slowly; in Chinese it is known as the "grandpa-and-grandson tree," which means that a man may plant the tree while young, yet will only see it bear fruit when he is old enough to have a grandson.
The tree needs at least 20 years to fruit, and in Yangjia Village the tradition of growing gingko started 500 years ago. Today, the gingko we see there are mostly more than 100 years old.Phoenix trees @ Beishan Road and Nanshan Road
The number of people who walk, jog and cycle from Beishan Road to Nanshan Road bears testimony to the route's popularity. And at this time of year they can enjoy the sunshine, the West Lake and the phoenix trees, currently adorned in fiery golds and reds.
More than 500 phoenix trees, all 50 or 60 years old, line the route and because of high humidity due to their proximity to the lake, many leaves do not fall right after taking their crimson colors. Instead, they linger on the branches for the final days of autumn.
Reeds @ Xixi Wetland
Xixi Wetland is renowned for its reed beds, and the area named "Snowy Reeds in Xixi" has been a must-see attraction since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
At this time of year, the tall wetland grasses are especially beautiful, when their seed heads catch the gold of the setting sun and blow in the breeze. The best spot to appreciate them is Qiuxue Nunnery, nowadays an old-style home, on a small island.
Located at the center of the Xixi Wetland, and requiring a boat ride to get there, Qiuxue Nunnery is surrounded by reeds. These are at their best until January.
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