Nanjing locals can't keep it to themselves anymore! This tree literally explodes autumn into a rainbow, miss it and you'll have to wait a whole year!

Nanjing locals can't keep it to themselves anymore! This tree literally explodes autumn into a rainbow, miss it and you'll have to wait a whole year!

Who would have thought! The joy of autumn in Nanjing is completely captured by a single Chinese tallow tree!

A few days ago, I saw someone say, "Autumn in Nanjing is subtle," and I laughed until tears came out—that's because you haven't seen the Chinese tallow trees in Mochou Lake Park! Other trees at most change into yellow clothes in autumn, but this one goes all out, splashing the color palette right onto its branches. Orange like a freshly made caramel macchiato, red like a blazing charcoal fire, even the leaves on the edges shimmer with golden light. Standing under the tree looking up, it’s like stepping into a real-life rainbow dream. I held up my phone and took pictures for half an hour; every shot could be a wallpaper, I just couldn’t bear to delete any!

But do you think this Chinese tallow tree is just about looks? Wrong! It hides the most "tricky" little secret of Nanjing’s autumn—it only stays this beautiful for about 20 days each year. Come a week early, and the leaves are still green, lacking that passionate vibe; come a week late, and the wind blows most leaves off, leaving you sighing at the bare branches. I fell into this trap last year, thinking I’d wait until the weekend to go, but a strong wind on Wednesday blew most leaves away. By the time I got to the park, only a layer of fallen leaves was left on the ground, and barely any leaves remained on the tree. I kicked myself, having to wait a whole year to make up for the regret!

Also, there’s a hidden bonus if you visit Mochou Lake Park to see the Chinese tallow tree now—between 9 and 10 a.m., the slanting sunlight filters through the leaves, casting patches of light on the ground. Walking on these light spots under the tree, even your shadow becomes colorful. After 4 p.m., the sunset dyes the sky a soft pink, making the red leaves of the Chinese tallow tree stand out even more against the pink and blue sky. Just find a bench, sit down, feel the autumn breeze, and watch the shadows sway. It feels like all your worries are washed away by this beautiful scene, so comfortable you don’t want to leave!

But now more and more people know about this "rainbow tree." When I went last Saturday, quite a few people were already taking photos under the tree, and moms were bringing kids to collect fallen leaves for crafts. It was lively but never crowded—instead, it felt like everyone was sharing happiness together.

I’ve already planned my trip for next week to shoot a set of night photos of the Chinese tallow tree (I heard that when the streetlights come on at night, the leaves glow with a warm yellow light, giving a whole different vibe)! If you haven’t seen Nanjing’s "top star" Chinese tallow tree yet, don’t wait any longer. Hurry up and invite your friends to check in at Mochou Lake Park!

Friends who have been there, come chat in the comments— which photo of the Chinese tallow tree did you get that turned out best? And if you haven’t been, don’t hesitate. After reading this, remember to share your beautiful photos. Let’s lock Nanjing’s autumn forever in our albums!

Post by Benjamin@Carter43 | Sep 20, 2025