What is “pick up autumn” and where to do it in Nanjing

The trend for an outing taking over social media this season is #jianqiu# (pick up autumn). Type it into any search bar and you'll find a delightful array of posts—beautiful trails, DIY crafts with fallen leaves and seeds, and encounters with lovely creatures.

In the old days, "jianqiu" referred to farmers combing fields for leftover crops after harvest. But today, it's evolved into a playful treasure hunt outdoors. Like other recent trends such as #citywalks#, #cityrides# and #20-mins park effect#, #jianqiu# promises urban dwellers the joy of a refreshing and free exploration. Ready to give it a try?

Here's where in Nanjing:

Zhongshan Botanical Garden: The Ultimate Autumn Harvest Spot

Zhongshan Botanical Garden is a goldmine for autumn goodies. Find acorns, pond cypress seeds, pecans, persimmons, and chestnuts scattered across the grounds. And if you're worried about robbing squirrels and birds of their snacks, head to nearby Purple Mountain instead—where vibrant leaves are abundant!

Purple Mountain: A Colorful Leaf Haven

Purple Mountain bursts into a palette of colors each autumn, with vibrant greens, golden hues, orange and fiery reds stretching across its 600-meter Sacred Path with stone statues. Perfect spots to see the leaves include Yanquan Lake, Linggu Temple Road, and the Music Platform. Keep an eye out for the colorful leaves of ginkgo, maple trees, zelkova, Chinese tallow, tulip trees, and bald cypress.

Xuanwu Lake: Autumn Reflections by the Water

Fancy a waterside view? Then Xuanwu Lake offers a mesmerizing landscape. The signature colors of luanshu (golden train trees) and their adorable lantern-shaped fruits can be found at Lovers Garden. With its flower language of "wonder, awe, and brilliance", these trees make for picture-perfect scenes along the lake.

Qixia Mountain: Nanjing's Maple Paradise

Every November, Qixia Mountain begins its stunning maple transformation. If you look close enough at the fiery red leaves, you can tell the slight difference between the trees:

Palmate maple: The most common species in Qixia Moutain. Its leaves turn bright red in late fall, making it the "autumn star".

Red maple: The bold red leaves remain vibrant all year, with new leaves appearing in scarlet, while mature ones show a purplish-red.

Chinese sweet gum: These towering trees stand along the Maple Lake and have larger leaves than palmate maples.

And there's a bonus. You'll likely spot some furry residents also roaming Qixia Mountain. They are the perfect mascots of autumn serenity.

Laoshan: Birdwatcher's Paradise

Far from the city's hustle, Laoshan mountain is a verdant haven for birdwatchers, home to 136 bird species including rare and protected species like the Chinese sparrowhawk, the mandarin duck, and the fairy pitta. Stand atop Laoshan and drink in the mountain's fresh air, gaze at the sweeping views, and revel in the call of birds as they swirl through the crisp autumn air.

So grab a cozy sweater, bring a friend (or just your camera), and head out to "pick up autumn" in Nanjing's beautiful outdoors.

Source and photos: The Information Office of Nanjing