Now, the Best Time to Enjoy Autumn Views

When it comes to enjoying the scenery in the ancient city, there is an art to it.

Watching the delicate pink blossoms of spring, early spring won’t do; admiring the lush vitality of summer greenery, late summer falls short; and to behold the golden brilliance of autumn across the land, you must also wait for the right moment.

Just as autumn begins, the boundary with summer remains blurry. By the Yishui River, the green still clings to the treetops, and the lingering heat still hangs in the city. Looking around, all seems a late-summer scene.

People busy with life, aside from feeling the weather grow more pleasant by the day, are still immersed in the afterglow of the season.

At this time, the scenery has not yet reached its peak. The seasonal transition feels a bit sparse, caught in between. The ancient city lacks the exuberant life of summer, yet hasn’t acquired autumn’s full charm. Gazing upon it, it feels somewhat thin, missing that rich, mellow flavor.

But as time passes, the once green leaves are gilded by light into gold, flaunting in the wind with abandon. This very moment proclaims to all: the best time for viewing is here.

Afternoon is the most suitable time of day for appreciation. The high, clear sky, the bright yet gentle sunlight, falling upon the ancient city, makes the richly colored paintings, vermilion gates, and green-glazed tiles appear even more vivid.

But the most beautiful sights are the red maples and yellow ginkgoes. They seem to be among the few bursts of passion in autumn, revealing that within its mature core burns a fervent flame.

The golden ginkgoes are blossoms of light upon the earth; the crimson maple leaves are flames that never go out. They are autumn’s keywords, its very symbols. With just a single branch or leaf, the beauty of the season quietly settles in the heart.

So where is the best place to enjoy the scenery in the ancient city?

Standing atop Babai Tower, you can take in the city’s panorama. The rows of buildings, in their rustic simplicity, exude a profound ancient charm. The slow-strolling pedestrians add a leisurely, unhurried atmosphere. In this moment, “peaceful years” is the perfect expression for everything within sight.

Sitting idly in the ancient city, surrounded by beautiful scenery and bathed in sunlight, quietly savoring the city’s slow pace—perhaps this is the very best way to embrace the season.