As the morning light softly dawns and the air remains crisp, the season of the annual autumn gathering begins again, serving as a way to document and share autumn days by collecting items like fallen leaves, chestnuts, or other natural treasures.

Fresh chestnuts collected in the mountainous area of Yixing. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

In the mountainous area of Yixing, a county-level city in Wuxi, chestnut picking in Taihua Mountain feels like engaging with the seasons. Removing the spiky shell uncovers bright, soft yellow insides. Even though the spring tea season has ended, exploring tea gardens in autumn and trying out tea farming for a day offer a unique experience: wearing a bamboo basket and searching for fresh leaves among the tea bushes.

Natural treasures collected this autumn in the area surrounding Lihu Lake. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Around Lihu Lake, as the wind stirs, countless leaves fall like golden rain from the sky. There are plenty of great spots for autumn gatherings, such as Baojie Mountain Park, Bogong Island, Changguangxi Wetland Park, and Lihu Lake Central Park. Picking up a phoenix tree leaf reveals a warm orange hue that captures autumn's gentleness. By pressing the leaves flat, they can be bundled into a bouquet to bring the taste of autumn home.

Colorful fallen leaves collected in Huishan Ancient Town. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

In Huishan Ancient Town, every corner is adorned with the stunning sights of the season: century-old ginkgo trees and endless maple forests. Plan a visit to experience a celebration of autumn colors.