"Autumn Messengers" Have Arrived! Huangyan is Immersed in Autumn Splendor!

On October 3, 2025, Huangyan’s streets came alive with the vibrant hues of Koelreuteria bipinnata var. integrifoliola (Huangshan Goldenrain Tree, family Sapindaceae)—dubbed the "Autumn Messengers"—as they reached their peak bloom. Golden blossoms, crimson seed capsules, and lush greenery intertwined to craft a breathtaking autumn tapestry, infusing the cityscape with nature’s 'dopamine'.

Clusters of delicate golden flowers blanketed the branches, shimmering like constellations under the autumn sun. Newly formed crimson capsules swayed like lanterns, creating a harmonious contrast with the golden blooms and glossy leaves—a sight that compelled passersby to linger and admire the poetic tableau.

Known scientifically as Koelreuteria bipinnata var. integrifoliola and locally as "Lantern Tree" (for its lantern-shaped fruit clusters) or "Money-Shaking Tree" (a folk name symbolizing prosperity), this species undergoes a striking transformation: its golden petals fall to reveal capsules transitioning from pink to russet. The three rounded "lanterns" cluster together, and "Luanhua"—a term ancient scholars used for this tree’s blooms (literally "Luan Blossom," referencing its elegant floral appearance)—was celebrated for its brocade-like petals and jade-like fruits. It blooms from August to September, with its fruiting period extending into autumn and winter—a unique feature in which flowers and fruits coexist, offering a prolonged spectacle.

Over 1,000 such trees now line Huangyan’s urban corridors, including Zhusha Street, Yongning River Greenway, and 2nd Ring Road South, with each street presenting a distinct autumn vista.

With the gentle breeze blowing and mild sunlight shining, why not take a leisurely stroll through Huangyan’s streets? Encounter this arboreal masterpiece and cherish autumn’s fleeting brilliance—the season’s first "moment of radiance."