Going deep into every corner and extending throughout Jinji Lake, autumn has peacefully taken over the whole area blessing it with an intoxicating drizzle.

Beautiful autumn

Osmanthus

The west tourist center is among the earliest to usher in autumn by several orange osmanthus in blossom on the lawn beside lake. The trees exude nice scent gathering admirers around them. 

If you come on a night with full moon, you will have empathy with Chinese ancients on the point that osmanthus are the “queen” out of all autumn flowers as often described in their poems.

Best place to go: the lawn to the east of west tourist center

Red Maples

Time seems to slow down when entering late autumn as if frozen by the increasingly cold weather. Maples have turned red just like glistening rubies.

 More than five hundred red maple trees stand in rows with their leaves connecting each other waving in the sun like a flaming sea, as if extending hospitality to the visitors. 

Best viewing location: maple forest at Guanfeng(maple-viewing) Street

Gingko trees

Gingko leaves turn yellow while aging and then fall from trees shower by shower onto the ground of small paths and streets by lakeside.

 Roads covered with fallen leaves are similar to gilded belts stretching their ways to Jinji Lake.

 The ideal time to see gingko trees is at sunset when the sun gradually declines leaving numerous small dark shades and bright spots interwoven and on the constant shift in the forest.

Recommended site: both sides along Huachi Street, Jinhe Square at No. 88 Huachi Street

Delicious autumn

Steamed crab

As a specialty of watertown in autumn, crabs grow oily rich and exceptionally delicious in this season.

Sitting at a dinner table on Ligongdi Causeway, you can feat your eyes on the nice scenery of the lake around you meanwhile satisfy your palate with steamed “armoured warriors” amid a drink.

Good restaurant to recommend: “Family Dinner” Restaurant located at Ligongdi Causeway 

Fengqiao Town noodles with pork

Suzhou locals have different favorite dishes for different seasons. 

For example, as regards noodles, they prefer “Fengqiao Town noodles with pork” in summer while in autumn, they like “butter noodles” better.

Because Suzhou natives believe eating correct noodles in season will bring them longevity.

 The so called “butter noodles” use highly pure crab roe and fat as its “butter”. A bowl of such noodles will take as many as three crabs for ingredients to be cooked.

 Restaurant to be recommended:  “Yuxing Shop” affiliated to Hyatt Hotel

Gorgon fruit

Soft, translucent and somewhat glutinous, gorgon fruits are another kind of local produce of watertown. 

Different cooking methods produce different tastes.

Whether cooked with sugar or salt, gorgon fruits will arouse your strong appetite.

Take a spoonful into your mouth, you will feel they are full, round and smooth as pearls rolling over between your tongue and teeth.

It chewiness adds to a filling sense.

Restaurant topping the list: Suzhou branch of the Eslite Spectrum

A prolific autumn will feast both your eyes and your stomach. Revel in this nice autumn. Record the beautiful scenery of Jinji Lake with your eyes and collect them into the bottom of your heart.

Autumn is already well on the way. So am I.