The best places to savor the beauty of autumn in Hangzhou

Autumn, a season brandishing gold, orange and reddish hues, is for much of the world one of the most beautiful seasons to follow. This is certainly the case for Hangzhou. Boasting spectacular scenery throughout the year, the vibrant city offers its visitors a place in which to fall in love with autumn.

Hangzhou Botanical Garden

Located on the northwest of West Lake, Hangzhou Botanical Garden has over 3,000 species of plants and over 50,000 specimens. Whatever the season you visit Hangzhou Botanical Garden, you won’t be let down by the charming landscape, featuring seemingly endless rows of flowers and magical colors of plants throughout the year. When autumn comes, the maple area and water & mountain Area are the two best spots in the garden to view the fabulous fall foliage.

Address: No 1 Taoyuanling, Xihu district, Hangzhou

Best time to visit: late October and early November

Xixi National Wetland Park

Xixi National Wetland Park has long been known for its rustic views and well-preserved wetlands. Covering an area of 1,150 hectares, the park has varied vegetation, comprising persimmon, pomegranate, willow, camphor, bamboo, mulberry, plum, peach, elm, maple, poplar, hibiscus and reeds. When autumn comes, the park is dotted with dancing reed flowers, and red persimmons.

Address: No 518 Tianmushan road, Yuhang district, Hangzhou

Best time to visit: late October and early November

Lingyin road

The 4-kilometer-long Lingyin road is one of the most scenic roads in Hangzhou, extending from Yuefei Temple to Lingyi Temple. The road is lined with pine trees, soap berries and maple trees. The yellow leaves of the soap berry trees and red leaves of the maple trees are mingled along the scenic driveway, presenting a remarkable array of autumn colors.

Address: Xihu district, Hangzhou

Best time to visit: late October and early November

Sweet osmanthus rain at Manjuelong village

Sweet osmanthus rain at Manjuelong village is one of the ten new Hangzhou sites. Every year in late September and early October, the osmanthus, the city flower of Hangzhou, is in full blossom at the Manjuelong village area. People can smell the sweet fragrance in the air, as well as checking out the beautiful flowers on show.

Address: West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou

Best time to visit: late September and early October

Yanggong Causeway

Located on the west of the West Lake, Yanggong Causeway is 3.4 kilometers long, starting from Lingyin road on its north side and ending at Hupao road on its south side. It’s a scenic road connecting numerous scenic spots such as Quyuan Lotus Park, Jinsha Harbor and Maojia Fu.

Compared with Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, Yanggong Causeway is less crowded and therefore less spoilt and rich in idyllic charm. In autumn, the causeway is brightened with stretches of snow white reed catkins which can either be seen flowing on the shimmering waters or swaying in the breeze.

Address: West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou

Best time to visit: late October and early November