Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend
It may lack a snappy English name like “city walk,” but jiǎn qiū could be this autumn’s big lifestyle trend

People living in Chinese cities have recently fallen in love with a new outdoorsy trend: jiǎn qiū (捡秋), which directly translates to “picking up autumn.” This activity has quickly become a social media sensation, with hashtags like “Why are all the workers picking up autumn on weekends?” (打工人为何周末都去捡秋) and “Reverse tourism: picking up autumn” (有种反向旅游叫捡秋) gathering over 10 million views on Weibo and other social media platforms.

So, what exactly are people picking up? Traditionally, jiǎn qiū referred to the act of farmers collecting leftover crops from fields. But today, the phrase has taken on new meaning as an outdoor activity for city dwellers. As temperatures cool, people are heading to parks and other outdoor areas to gather fallen leaves, fruits, and other natural objects, as a way to reconnect with nature, experience the changing of seasons, and preserve memories of autumn.

“The first barbecue skewer of autumn” has become a popular format for jiǎn qiū posts. Image via Xiaohongshu.

While for some jiǎn qiū can be as simple as searching for dried leaves in a local park, others are taking it more seriously. Science bloggers have made long form videos to introduce common plant species people might encounter outdoors, while also spreading awareness about the potential dangers of touching or eating toxic species. Comparable to rising interest in adventure sports but significantly more relaxed, this trend encourages people to escape crowded urban areas, with families using the time outside to teach children about nature in ways they might not otherwise experience.

After collecting leaves and more, urbanites get creative with how they present their findings. Some are getting into a crafting spirit and repurposing other everyday objects like coffee cups, sticks, ropes, grass, and fabric scraps to make bouquets and frames for their collections. Meanwhile, others are taking a more scientific approach, researching plant species, categorizing finds, and saving specimens for documentation.

An impressive frame for a jiǎn qiū leaf collection. Image via via Xiaohongshu.

The popularity of jiǎn qiū has even boosted local tourism, with bureaus of culture and tourism and their affiliated institutions, for example Nanjing’s museum administration organization, promoting parks and gardens, which are often overlooked by young urbanites in favor of flashier destinations. Lifestyle platforms like Xiaohongshu are encouraging users to post their own autumn collections as well. While only time will tell if jiǎn qiū attains the popularity of “city walks,” it’s fast becoming a popular way for people to embrace nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air away from the digital world.

Banner collage via Xiaohongshu.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

2 mins read

It may lack a snappy English name like “city walk,” but jiǎn qiū could be this autumn’s big lifestyle trend

People living in Chinese cities have recently fallen in love with a new outdoorsy trend: jiǎn qiū (捡秋), which directly translates to “picking up autumn.” This activity has quickly become a social media sensation, with hashtags like “Why are all the workers picking up autumn on weekends?” (打工人为何周末都去捡秋) and “Reverse tourism: picking up autumn” (有种反向旅游叫捡秋) gathering over 10 million views on Weibo and other social media platforms.

So, what exactly are people picking up? Traditionally, jiǎn qiū referred to the act of farmers collecting leftover crops from fields. But today, the phrase has taken on new meaning as an outdoor activity for city dwellers. As temperatures cool, people are heading to parks and other outdoor areas to gather fallen leaves, fruits, and other natural objects, as a way to reconnect with nature, experience the changing of seasons, and preserve memories of autumn.

“The first barbecue skewer of autumn” has become a popular format for jiǎn qiū posts. Image via Xiaohongshu.

While for some jiǎn qiū can be as simple as searching for dried leaves in a local park, others are taking it more seriously. Science bloggers have made long form videos to introduce common plant species people might encounter outdoors, while also spreading awareness about the potential dangers of touching or eating toxic species. Comparable to rising interest in adventure sports but significantly more relaxed, this trend encourages people to escape crowded urban areas, with families using the time outside to teach children about nature in ways they might not otherwise experience.

After collecting leaves and more, urbanites get creative with how they present their findings. Some are getting into a crafting spirit and repurposing other everyday objects like coffee cups, sticks, ropes, grass, and fabric scraps to make bouquets and frames for their collections. Meanwhile, others are taking a more scientific approach, researching plant species, categorizing finds, and saving specimens for documentation.

An impressive frame for a jiǎn qiū leaf collection. Image via via Xiaohongshu.

The popularity of jiǎn qiū has even boosted local tourism, with bureaus of culture and tourism and their affiliated institutions, for example Nanjing’s museum administration organization, promoting parks and gardens, which are often overlooked by young urbanites in favor of flashier destinations. Lifestyle platforms like Xiaohongshu are encouraging users to post their own autumn collections as well. While only time will tell if jiǎn qiū attains the popularity of “city walks,” it’s fast becoming a popular way for people to embrace nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air away from the digital world.

Banner collage via Xiaohongshu.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

RELATED POSTS

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

2 mins read

2 mins read

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend
It may lack a snappy English name like “city walk,” but jiǎn qiū could be this autumn’s big lifestyle trend

People living in Chinese cities have recently fallen in love with a new outdoorsy trend: jiǎn qiū (捡秋), which directly translates to “picking up autumn.” This activity has quickly become a social media sensation, with hashtags like “Why are all the workers picking up autumn on weekends?” (打工人为何周末都去捡秋) and “Reverse tourism: picking up autumn” (有种反向旅游叫捡秋) gathering over 10 million views on Weibo and other social media platforms.

So, what exactly are people picking up? Traditionally, jiǎn qiū referred to the act of farmers collecting leftover crops from fields. But today, the phrase has taken on new meaning as an outdoor activity for city dwellers. As temperatures cool, people are heading to parks and other outdoor areas to gather fallen leaves, fruits, and other natural objects, as a way to reconnect with nature, experience the changing of seasons, and preserve memories of autumn.

“The first barbecue skewer of autumn” has become a popular format for jiǎn qiū posts. Image via Xiaohongshu.

While for some jiǎn qiū can be as simple as searching for dried leaves in a local park, others are taking it more seriously. Science bloggers have made long form videos to introduce common plant species people might encounter outdoors, while also spreading awareness about the potential dangers of touching or eating toxic species. Comparable to rising interest in adventure sports but significantly more relaxed, this trend encourages people to escape crowded urban areas, with families using the time outside to teach children about nature in ways they might not otherwise experience.

After collecting leaves and more, urbanites get creative with how they present their findings. Some are getting into a crafting spirit and repurposing other everyday objects like coffee cups, sticks, ropes, grass, and fabric scraps to make bouquets and frames for their collections. Meanwhile, others are taking a more scientific approach, researching plant species, categorizing finds, and saving specimens for documentation.

An impressive frame for a jiǎn qiū leaf collection. Image via via Xiaohongshu.

The popularity of jiǎn qiū has even boosted local tourism, with bureaus of culture and tourism and their affiliated institutions, for example Nanjing’s museum administration organization, promoting parks and gardens, which are often overlooked by young urbanites in favor of flashier destinations. Lifestyle platforms like Xiaohongshu are encouraging users to post their own autumn collections as well. While only time will tell if jiǎn qiū attains the popularity of “city walks,” it’s fast becoming a popular way for people to embrace nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air away from the digital world.

Banner collage via Xiaohongshu.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

2 mins read

It may lack a snappy English name like “city walk,” but jiǎn qiū could be this autumn’s big lifestyle trend

People living in Chinese cities have recently fallen in love with a new outdoorsy trend: jiǎn qiū (捡秋), which directly translates to “picking up autumn.” This activity has quickly become a social media sensation, with hashtags like “Why are all the workers picking up autumn on weekends?” (打工人为何周末都去捡秋) and “Reverse tourism: picking up autumn” (有种反向旅游叫捡秋) gathering over 10 million views on Weibo and other social media platforms.

So, what exactly are people picking up? Traditionally, jiǎn qiū referred to the act of farmers collecting leftover crops from fields. But today, the phrase has taken on new meaning as an outdoor activity for city dwellers. As temperatures cool, people are heading to parks and other outdoor areas to gather fallen leaves, fruits, and other natural objects, as a way to reconnect with nature, experience the changing of seasons, and preserve memories of autumn.

“The first barbecue skewer of autumn” has become a popular format for jiǎn qiū posts. Image via Xiaohongshu.

While for some jiǎn qiū can be as simple as searching for dried leaves in a local park, others are taking it more seriously. Science bloggers have made long form videos to introduce common plant species people might encounter outdoors, while also spreading awareness about the potential dangers of touching or eating toxic species. Comparable to rising interest in adventure sports but significantly more relaxed, this trend encourages people to escape crowded urban areas, with families using the time outside to teach children about nature in ways they might not otherwise experience.

After collecting leaves and more, urbanites get creative with how they present their findings. Some are getting into a crafting spirit and repurposing other everyday objects like coffee cups, sticks, ropes, grass, and fabric scraps to make bouquets and frames for their collections. Meanwhile, others are taking a more scientific approach, researching plant species, categorizing finds, and saving specimens for documentation.

An impressive frame for a jiǎn qiū leaf collection. Image via via Xiaohongshu.

The popularity of jiǎn qiū has even boosted local tourism, with bureaus of culture and tourism and their affiliated institutions, for example Nanjing’s museum administration organization, promoting parks and gardens, which are often overlooked by young urbanites in favor of flashier destinations. Lifestyle platforms like Xiaohongshu are encouraging users to post their own autumn collections as well. While only time will tell if jiǎn qiū attains the popularity of “city walks,” it’s fast becoming a popular way for people to embrace nature and enjoy a breath of fresh air away from the digital world.

Banner collage via Xiaohongshu.

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

RADII NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

NEWSLETTER​

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox

RADII Newsletter Pop Up small banner

NEWSLETTER

Get weekly top picks and exclusive, newsletter only content delivered straight to you inbox.

Link Copied!

Share

Feature image of Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

Jian Qiu: Why Picking Up Autumn Leaves Is China’s Newest Trend

It may lack a snappy English name like “city walk,” but jiǎn qiū could be this autumn’s big lifestyle trend

PULSE

Unpacking Chinese youth culture through coverage of nightlife, film, sports, celebrities, and the hottest new music

STYLE

An insider’s look at the intersection of fashion, art, and design

FEAST

Titillate your taste buds with coverage of the best food and drink trends from China and beyond.

FUTURE

From hit video games to AI, flying cars, robots, and cutting-edge gadgets — enter a new digital world

FEAST

Titillate your taste buds with coverage of the best food and drink trends from China and beyond