Autumn in Hangzhou is a millennia-spanning earthly dream!

If every city has its own season, then Hangzhou was surely born for autumn! Autumn in Hangzhou is the most enchanting season of the year. The summer heat gradually fades, and the winter chill has yet to arrive. The plane trees by the lake don golden attire, and the fragrance of osmanthus fills the streets and alleys. At this time, West Lake is as beautiful as a spilled palette, captivating visitors endlessly. The thousand-year charm of the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties meets the plane trees, ginkgo, and city-wide osmanthus rain by West Lake, making Hangzhou’s autumn naturally poetic. This beauty is not loud or ostentatious but calm and intense, like a scholar in a long robe quietly painting by the lake, pouring the deepest emotions into this fleeting season. As a travel blogger who has traveled all over China, I must say: Hangzhou’s autumn is poetry and painting etched in the bones, every frame worth keeping in memory. 【Why Autumn in Hangzhou?】 What makes Hangzhou’s autumn beautiful? It lies in the overlap of time and space—on Beishan Street, century-old plane tree leaves cover the ground, harmonizing with the nearby modern historical buildings. It lies in the feast of colors—the red maples on Lingyin Road turn from green to yellow, then orange to red. The saying “Nine miles of cloud pines, ten miles of maples, and patches of red under the forest” describes this place perfectly. It is also beautiful in the warmth of everyday life—the aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the city, and a bowl of hot osmanthus sugar lotus root is the warmest taste of Hangzhou’s autumn. 【Golden Time: Catch the Best Period for Autumn Viewing】 Based on my years of autumn exploration, the core period for enjoying autumn in Hangzhou is from late September to mid-November, with some detailed distinctions: • Late September to mid-October: Osmanthus blooms, filling the city with fragrance. At this time, the “Manlong Osmanthus Rain” in Manjuelong is poetic and picturesque, the golden season for osmanthus viewing. • Late October to mid-November: Ginkgo turns golden, plane tree leaves fall, and West Lake’s autumn colors deepen. Lingyin Road, Beishan Street, and Yang Gong Causeway reach their peak autumn scenery. • Mid to late November: The lingering autumn mood and quiet ancient visits. Fewer tourists, the withered lotus on West Lake has a unique charm, a special kind of desolate beauty. 【Three Days and Two Nights Immersive Autumn Itinerary】 Day 1: Classic West Lake Autumn Viewing Route Early morning visit to Lingyin Temple, the ancient temple looks even more serene in autumn, with yellow walls, dark tiles, and red maples complementing each other. Going early avoids crowds and allows you to feel the tranquility. On both sides of Lingyin Road, mostly chicken claw maples grow, with a few red maples mixed in. Every autumn, the chicken claw maples gradually change from green to yellow, then orange to red. Next, visit Yongfu Temple, a quiet and beautiful place perfect for meditation. In the afternoon, head to Beishan Street, a famous historical and cultural street in Hangzhou, known as the “open-air museum of modern architecture.” Tall and lush plane trees guard Beishan Street, lining both sides of the road and creating a unique landscape. In autumn, the plane leaves turn yellow, warm and unhurried. Photo tip: Visit Lingyin Temple at opening time in the morning to capture the Zen atmosphere in the morning light and mist; in the afternoon on Beishan Street, the slanting sunlight lengthens the shadows of the plane leaves, perfect for portrait photography. Day 2: In-depth Tour of the Landscape Painting In the morning, go to Jiuxi Smoke Trees, where the creek flows gently, maple leaves turn red, and tea gardens blend with autumn colors like an oil painting. Walk from Jiuxi bus stop to Longjing Village, about 2 hours, with some sections requiring wading through water, so wear comfortable shoes. In the afternoon, visit Yang Gong Causeway, which is quieter compared to the bustling Su Causeway and Bai Causeway. Dawn redwoods, red maples, and plane trees layer one after another, reflecting in the water. Taking the West Lake bus along Yang Gong Causeway is like riding an “autumn limited roller coaster,” immersing you in an autumn fairyland. At dusk, don’t miss the autumn colors at Xiling Bridge. Several maple cypresses by the bridge turn frost red and mist purple in autumn, forming a forest that reflects the sunset, vivid and dazzling. This is a quiet place to enjoy West Lake’s autumn. The Ming dynasty scholar Gao Lian recorded the elegant autumn scene of “drunken red trees by Xiling Bridge” in his “Record of Four Seasons’ Quiet Enjoyment.” Day 3: Leisurely Walk with Ancient Charm In the morning, visit Gushan to admire the ginkgo. The ginkgo trees on Gushan are mainly concentrated in the Yipianyun area. From the Hougushan Fanghe Pavilion up the mountain, you can see Jingyi Academy, which has about 10 ginkgo trees. When the leaves fall, they cover the entire platform, with the academy’s white walls as a backdrop and yellow leaves as decoration, creating an irreplaceable beauty. In the afternoon, stroll through Taiziwan Park. Besides the brilliant tulips in spring, the red maples in late autumn add a touch of romance to Taiziwan. A few red maples by the water blaze with fiery color, their reflections swaying in the water, painting a unique colorful picture with the green water and surrounding trees. If time allows, Maojiabu is also a good choice. It is a rare quiet spot by West Lake, full of “wild charm” and authenticity. 【Autumn Limited Delicacies: Taste of Hangzhou】 Autumn in Hangzhou is all about osmanthus flavor! These seasonal delicacies are worth waiting a whole year for: • Osmanthus sugar lotus root: soft, glutinous, sweet, full of osmanthus fragrance. • Crab roe soup dumplings: crabs are fat in autumn, with delicious broth. • Longjing shrimp: a perfect combination of tea fragrance and shrimp. • Dingsheng cake: a traditional Hangzhou pastry symbolizing good luck. Recommended old brands: Lou Wai Lou for Longjing shrimp and West Lake vinegar fish; Zhiweiguan for osmanthus sugar lotus root; Xinfeng Snacks for crab roe soup dumplings. 【Accommodation and Transportation Guide】 Accommodation recommendations: • Around West Lake: areas like Hubin and Wulin Square, convenient transportation, many shopping and dining options. • Manjuelong area: characteristic homestays, quiet environment, suitable for travelers seeking tranquility. • Longjing Village or Meijiawu: ideal for tea lovers, with morning tea picking and making experiences. Transportation tips: • Hangzhou’s metro network is well-developed and the main mode of travel. Combine with buses, taxis, or shared bikes between attractions. • Cycling around West Lake is very convenient; shared bikes are ideal for touring the West Lake area. • Traffic near scenic spots can be congested; it’s recommended to travel during off-peak times. 【Hidden Gems: Autumn Experiences Away from the Crowds】 If you have visited West Lake many times, explore the autumn colors around Hangzhou: • Manjuelong: Hangzhou’s most famous osmanthus viewing spot. In golden autumn, osmanthus falls like rain, filling the mountain path with fragrance. Check in at the popular cafes “Shanshe” or “Feiniaoji,” and enjoy a cup of osmanthus latte. • Xixi Wetland: In autumn, the reed flowers look like flying snow. Boating on the water offers a unique wild charm. In November, there is a “Persimmon Festival” where you can pick persimmons. • Baita Park: Usually quiet and peaceful with few tourists. In autumn, a hint of osmanthus fragrance leads the autumn mood, and the unique ornamental grass world becomes lively. 【Photography Tips: How to Capture Hangzhou’s Autumn Colors】 1. Light is key: The “golden hours” in the early morning and late afternoon have soft light, perfect for shooting autumn leaves. On Beishan Street in the afternoon, the slanting sunlight lengthens the shadows of the plane leaves, ideal for portraits. 2. Clever composition: The ginkgo at Jingyi Academy on Gushan, with white walls as background, creates irreplaceable beauty; the red leaves at Xiling Bridge can use the ancient bridge as foreground to create depth. 3. Use weather wisely: The best time to shoot autumn leaves is after rain when the wet leaves have richer colors; misty weather can create a Chinese landscape painting-like atmosphere. 4. Add people: Including people as scale can better show the grandeur of the scenery; wearing neutral colors (off-white, light gray) stands out beautifully against the colorful autumn. 【Helpful Tips】 1. Early rising is key! This is the core secret to capturing empty shots and the most beautiful morning light, especially at popular spots like Lingyin Temple, Beishan Street, and Jiuxi. 2. Use the weather: On sunny days, seize the “golden hours” in the morning and 3-5 pm; don’t be discouraged by rain—withered lotus on West Lake and wet stone paths can create emotionally cinematic scenes. 3. Dressing advice: Off-white/white clothes look better in autumn scenery; Hanfu can capture ancient charm. In October-November, Hangzhou’s temperature ranges from 15-25°C, cool in the morning and evening, so bring a light jacket. 4. Avoid crowds: West Lake is crowded on weekends; it’s better to visit on weekdays. Try to be among the first to enter popular spots like Lingyin Temple in the morning. Autumn in Hangzhou is a romance that spans a thousand years. It is not ostentatious but always touches the softest part of your heart unexpectedly. This beauty is worth slowing down to feel with your heart.