Autumn is in the air, and everyone in Hangzhou is quietly wondering the same thing: when will the osmanthus flowers appear? Last week, the season’s first cluster of early silver osmanthus bloomed at the entrance of the Stone Cave on Manjuelong Road - it officially marks that the sweet, fragrant flowers takes the stage.

Osmanthus buds typically need average daily temperatures below 25°C to develop, so this year’s full bloom might arrive a bit later than usual, due to the tenacity of hot weather.   

But don’t worry - good things are worth waiting for. Let’s come to know something about the city’s go-to spot for osmanthus viewing - Manjuelong - first.

Manlong Guiyu (rains of sweet osmanthus flowers in Manjuelong) is a New Top 10 scenic views of the legendary West Lake. The valley tucked away between the Southern Peak and Baihe Peak is ready to greet the crowds from afar.

Manjuelong has a history of osmanthus cultivation dating back to the Song Dynasty. The first edition of the annual osmanthus festival was held here in 1986, and “Manjuelong Osmanthus Blossoms” was later recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Hangzhou. It was honored as one of Zhejiang’s first communities centered around cultural heritage.

Today, more than 7,000 osmanthus trees form a gorgeous landscape that fills the autumn breeze with sweet fragrance. The trees are overflowing with golden, silver, red petals.

You’ll find all kinds - Golden Osmanthus flowers, for its rich aroma, are used in traditional osmanthus sugar; Silver Osmanthus flowers, light yellow and refreshingly aromatic, are perfect for scenting Longjing tea. Red Osmanthus flowers, vibrant and dense, are constantly spotted to color the autumn days; and Four-Season Osmanthus flowers, which blooms multiple times a year (though best in autumn), will continue the vibes and fragrance when the other three wear away.

Beyond the flowers, osmanthus also inspires local food craftsmanship - like century-old techniques for making candied osmanthus, which flavors chestnut paste, osmanthus cakes, and other traditional treats.

From September 15 to November 10, Manjuelong Village will host a series of cultural activities - tea ceremonies, folk shows, local markets featuring osmanthus-infused foods and drinks, and more. Come take a city walk under scented blossoms - where you’ll get every step a view, every corner a story.