[Osmanthus Season on Xishan Island｜The First Scent of Autumn in the Misty Taihu Lake]

When the morning mist of Piaomiao Peak carries the honey fragrance over the bluestone path, and the ancient dock at Mingyue Bay rises with the steam of osmanthus tea, the ten thousand osmanthus trees on Taihu Lake’s Xishan Island are writing the gentlest prelude to autumn in Jiangnan with golden pollen and silver buds.

📍 Fragrance Seeking Map
🌼 Piaomiao Peak Hiking Trail

· Old osmanthus corridors line both sides of the mountain trail, with golden petals scattered on the damp steps after rain
· At the mid-mountain tea pavilion, hold a cup of Biluochun tea and watch osmanthus flowers fall into the tea, swirling fragrant whirlpools

🏡 Mingyue Bay Ancient Village

· Under a 1,200-year-old camphor tree, villagers gently tap branches with bamboo poles to collect “osmanthus rain”
· Grandmothers sit on doorsteps hand-sifting golden osmanthus, selling for hundreds of yuan per jin

🚲 Island Cycling Path

· From Linwudong to Shigong Mountain, every pedal stirs a fragrant breeze
· Along the way, farmhouse inns set up oil pots, frying osmanthus sugar lotus root fresh, scent drifting half a mile

🍯 Autumn Delicacies Poem
▪️ Osmanthus Rice Wine: Amber-colored sweet wine brewed by traditional methods
▪️ Candied Osmanthus: Golden osmanthus picked with morning dew and marinated in plum brine
▪️ Osmanthus Victory Cake: Pink steamed rice flour cake with osmanthus

📅 Best Viewing and Tasting Period
September 20 - October 8: Early silver osmanthus in full bloom
October 5 - October 20: Golden and red osmanthus take over
(The fragrance is strongest after the first clear day following rain)

🚢 Island Arrival Tips
✅ Self-driving: Avoid traffic on Taihu Bridge by arriving before 9 AM
✅ Bus: Express Line 11 goes directly to Linwudong Scenic Area
✅ Hidden Perk: Trip.com homestay bookings include an osmanthus picking experience

🌼 When the ancient temple bell startles the golden pollen from the trees, you’ll realize—autumn can be read with your nose.