Clear autumn at Yundang hides ancient charm, a courtyard filled with the fragrance of books and half the city’s autumn

Choose an unbelievably clear early autumn day, the sky as clean as if washed with water, not a single cloud willing to linger. Days like this are best spent emptying your mind and healing—passing through the dense bamboo forest at the entrance of Yundang Academy, sunlight filters through the bamboo leaves, casting scattered light spots on the bluestone path. When the wind blows, the light spots spin and dance at your feet, just like the fireflies you chased in childhood.

Walk straight along the bamboo path, the air filled with the fresh scent of bamboo and the warmth of earth. Turning past a moon gate, the view suddenly opens up: a vast green lawn stretches out, several huge banyan trees spread thick shade, their aerial roots hanging like curtains. Sunlight passes through the branches, weaving complex patterns of light and shadow on the ground. Nearby benches sit empty, quietly basking in the sunlight like a still life painting, as if waiting for someone to sit down and listen to the whispers of the wind through the leaves.

On the lawn, an elderly person strolling with a child steps lightly through the tree shadows, careful not to disturb time itself. Their figure flickers in the light and shadow, slowly becoming a black-and-white silent film. Children tiptoe to reach the last few stubborn green leaves on the branches, their laughter as clear as wind chimes, startling a few white egrets. They skim low over the lake, their wings lightly touching the water, creating ripples, then leisurely settle on the shore, preening their pure white feathers.

Yundang Academy is hidden deep within this greenery, a Chinese-style building with white walls and dark tiles, its flying eaves and upturned corners exuding simple elegance. The vermilion doors and windows are intricately carved, sunlight slanting on the walls casts the window lattice shadows on the ground like a flowing ink painting. Entering the academy, a faint scent of ink greets you. Inside, many exhibits about Minnan culture are displayed: yellowed ancient books, exquisite wood carvings, rustic porcelain, silently telling the history and charm of this land. Occasionally, a guide softly explains Minnan customs and the academy’s origins, their words blending into this tranquil moment.

We pick up a freshly fallen autumn leaf, its veins as clear as the lines of time, casually slipping it into a book we carry. This tiny bookmark captures the gentle moments amid life’s hurried pages—no alarm clocks urging, no trivial worries, only sunlight, greenery, and the fragrance of books slowly flowing on an early autumn afternoon.

Autumn in Xiamen is never bleak and withered but a warm poetic feeling hidden in cool greenery. If you want to find a place to both empty your mind and touch cultural heritage, Yundang Academy is an excellent choice. Stroll, birdwatch, savor the book fragrance, and let time slowly settle, letting fatigue fade away.

Such a healing journey needs a comfortable resting place. Jinjiang Inn Plus Airport T4 Jimei Aesthetic Village Branch offers convenient transportation and elegant surroundings, perfectly accommodating this autumnal laziness and comfort, adding a warm tone to your trip to Xiamen.

Post by auranthe_1124 | Nov 3, 2025