By mid-September, the first hints of autumn begin to appear in Nantong as the goldenrain trees burst into bloom, marking the arrival of the new season. Known also as the “lantern tree,” the deciduous goldenrain trees produces clusters of golden flowers in summer. When autumn comes, the blossoms fade and are replaced by lantern-like seed pods that turn from green to blush pink and finally amber brown—layers of color that last well into late autumn, earning the tree its nickname as the “rainbow tree of the city.”
As Chinese writer Shi Tiesheng once wrote, “The goldenrain trees are a grand celebration of autumn—a symbol of a brilliant life.” In Nantong, this grand scene unfolds across the city: the goldenrain trees along Haobei Road in Chongchuan District glow with vibrant hues, the tree-lined avenue in Langshan National Forest Park is reaching its seasonal best, and the ones along the Outer Moat in Rugao’s Rucheng Subdistrict display alternating shades of green, yellow and red, adding a radiant touch to the ancient city.
