IT’S the time of the year in Shenzhen when the golden hue of bald cypress trees in urban parks adds a seasonal charm to the city’s ever-green landscape. Enhanced by the crystal blue sky and the spectacular sunsets, Shenzhen offers its residents breathtaking autumn views. Here are seven destinations in Shenzhen that offer some of the best vistas of the golden bald cypress trees. Lianhua Hill Park, Futian District Take the eastern entrance on Hongli Road, and walk down the boardwalk on the left to the Yangri Lake inside Lianhua Hill Park. You’ll encounter a forest of bald cypresses emerging along the lake, with their golden reflections dancing on the water’s surface. As the sun sets, the intertwining branches and leaves create a harmonious blend of gold, brownish red and emerald green. The wooden boardwalk complements the cypresses perfectly, making for a picturesque scene worthy of a magazine cover. Metro: Line 3 or 10 to Lianhuacun Station, Exit D Litchi Park, Futian District The bald cypress trees in Litchi Park grow predominantly near the lake and by the Lanyue Bridge near the park’s western entrance. While not as densely planted as Lianhua Hill Park, the cypresses create a traditional Chinese painting that also features the pavilion and the pagoda in the park. When the sunlight hits, the colorful cypresses, the sparkling lake, the pavilion and the bridge combine to form a serene, picturesque scene that you’ll hardly find elsewhere. Metro: Line 3 or 9 to Hongling Station, Exit A Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Luohu District One of the most popular spots for viewing bald cypresses, the Fairy Lake Botanical Garden features clusters of the trees by the Suoluo Lake, in the Shuisheng Garden and near the Yudai Bridge. The Shuisheng Garden, nestled in the middle of the mountain, boasts the most cypresses among the three locations. The garden is accessible by in-park shuttles. A wooden boardwalk surrounding the Suoluo Lake offers views of various hues of golden yellow, brownish red and emerald green reflecting on the water, resembling a vibrant oil painting. Metro: Line 2 to Xianhu Road Station, Exit C3; then walk for about 700 meters Honghu Park, Luohu District Bald cypress trees line the eastern bank of the Honghu Lake in the southern area of the park, extending approximately 2 kilometers. For the best view, head to Fulong Bridge which provides a panoramic sight of the golden cypresses. In the early morning mist, the poetic view of egrets gliding over the lake accentuates the natural beauty. Metro: Line 7 to Honghu Station, Exit A Honghualing Park, Longgang District The straight and slender cluster of bald cypresses in the Honghualing Park transitions from emerald green, to golden yellow, and deep red, glowing under the winter sun. A wooden boardwalk along the lake allows parkgoers to get even closer to this captivating natural scenery. Meto: Line 16 to Shangjing Station, Exit B; then take a taxi Dashanpi Park, Pingshan District Dashanpi Park features a scenic view of bald cypresses complementing the Dashanpi Reservoir. The mix of yellow, red and green hues of the cypress trees creates a dreamy spectacle against the backdrop of blue skies and clear waters. Stroll along the reservoir to enjoy a myriad of colorful cypresses and landscapes. Metro: Line 14 to Jinlong Station, Exit B; then take a taxi Taihua Wutongdao Commercial Park, Bao’an District Although not a conventional park but a commercial office block in Gushu Subdistrict, Taihua Wutongdao Commercial Park is renowned for its 20,000-square-meter ecological lake adorned with cypresses. Now the caramel-colored cypress forest provides residents with a rare poetic retreat from urban hustle and bustle. Metro: Line 1 to Gushu Station, Exit D; then walk for 1.3 km(Claudia Wei) | 