Qiuxia Garden in Jiading is one of Shanghai's most picturesque spots in early winter. The garden is home to over 150 maple trees, including varieties such as red maple, green maple, laceleaf maple, and Japanese maple, along with more than 20 species of autumn foliage trees — all now at their peak color.

This serene classical Jiangnan garden seems as if brushed gently by chilly wind, with its pavilions and courtyards outlined in quiet ink-wash tones, while warm, vivid hues spill across the maples in every direction.

Beside the pond, along walls, and nestled among rockeries, the maples blaze in layers of crimson, scarlet, and ruby. The most magical moment arrives in the morning or afternoon backlight, when sunlight pours through the canopy and turns the entire grove radiant, each leaf glowing with the clarity of tinted glass.

As you wander through the garden, you'll find traditional upturned eaves, delicate lattice windows, and moon gates framing the vibrant winter views like scenes from a living scroll painting.

If you go

Where: No 314 Dongdajie Street, Jiading district

Open: 8 am to 5 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)

Ticket price: 10 yuan ($1.41)

Sources: WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Jiading district committee at "sh-jiading"