Today marks li qiu, or Start of Autumn, one of China's 24 solar terms. On Taishan Mountain, the change in seasons is subtle but unmistakable. Lush summer greens begin to soften, touched by the first hints of warm gold and amber. A gentle chill stirs in the air, carrying the scent of pine and earth.

From the ancient stone steps to the misty ridges, the mountain seems to pause and breathe more slowly. The sea of clouds drifts with a lighter grace, and the distant peaks take on a quieter, more contemplative mood. It's not yet the full blaze of autumn — just a whisper of what's to come.

For those who climb today, the reward is a mountain in transition: still green, but touched by gold; still warm, but with a breeze that hints at cooler days ahead. Autumn has arrived on Taishan Mountain, one soft shade at a time.

Early autumn light filters through the pines, painting the ancient trail in soft gold on Taishan Mountain. [Photo/WeChat account: china-taishan]

The first golden hues of autumn appear on the ridges — a quiet whisper of the season ahead. [Photo/WeChat account: china-taishan]

A sea of clouds drifts over Taishan Mountain as the mountain begins its seasonal transformation. [Photo/WeChat account: china-taishan]