As osmanthus flowers in the Jiangnan region reach full bloom, Hangzhou witnesses an autumn tourism boom, with crowds flocking to savour its classical charm amid the golden season — fuelling what's now known as the city's ‘autumn excursion economy’.

At intangible cultural heritage markets, autumn delicacies like osmanthus-infused sweets, osmanthus cakes, chestnut osmanthus pudding, and pear-infused osmanthus drinks are drawing large crowds of food lovers. According to a restaurant manager, the current number of tourists is four to five times higher than during the National Day holiday.

Tonglu County has released a curated autumn camping guide, connecting over 20 scenic campsites, leaf-peeping villages, and cycling routes into poetic trails. The area is also hosting the Qiantang River Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival alongside a dozen seasonal events, while major attractions offer discounted admission.

In Qianxi Village, the ‘Rice Wave Concert’ transforms harvested paddies into art installations and open-air galleries, complemented by cultural markets. Nearby, unharvested golden rice fields form a sun-kissed backdrop, where soft melodies create an immersive ‘autumn rhapsody’ for visitors.