Beijing brings more color to people's lives

Zhang Bo, senior engineer at the Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau, who has worked in plant cultivation for 17 years, said, "Through our research into plants and cultivation, we want to achieve the goal of citizens being able to see red leaves on every mountain and enjoy colorful leaves in every part of the city, including streets, parks, campuses and other public areas."

In 2015, a project was launched in the capital to extend greenery and provide more colorful plants in autumn and winter.

"After five years, we have seen some success," Zhang said.

Xie Zijia, a 35-year-old artist who has lived in Beijing since 2004, said: "Autumn in the city used to seem short, cool and gray. In the past, there were not that many attractive places where I could sketch outdoors when it turned cold.

"It's totally different now. Last week, I went to sketch at Ditan Park and Baiwang Mountain. I can now also enjoy various types of pretty trees, bushes and flowers when I sketch in a small park near my home."

Avid traveler Jin Xian, 60, who lives in Beijing and has visited many countries, said the city is her favorite, especially in autumn.

"In the past, I used to sense the difference between European cities and those in China, as when I traveled in Europe, the streets were landscaped and there were plants outside the houses.

"However, in recent years, Beijing has become much prettier. There are more 'pocket gardens'in the downtown area and an increasing number of plants in the city, including those in my residential community. They have brought color and romance to our lives."