The vast stretches of maple leaves have entered the best viewing season in Xiagezhuang Township in Laixi City of east China's Shandong Province, enchanting tourists with their vibrant colors that paint the landscape.
Under the autumn sunshine, the leaves display shades of bright orange and fiery red, shimmering like a magnificent oil painting.
Thanks to the local government's initiative to introduce high-quality red maple varieties, the area, once a barren wasteland, has turned into a tourist attraction.
After over a decade of dedicated care, the maple forest now spans more than 66 hectares, boasting more than 200,000 red maple trees.
To offer visitors an immersive experience in the autumn scenery, facilities like dedicated walkways and viewing platforms have been set up, along with maple-themed activities. "We aim not only to show tourists the stunning maple leaves, but also to impress them with the rural charm of Xiagezhuang. With the maple leaves as a medium, we have boosted local industries such as agritainment and agricultural product sales, allowing villagers to earn a living from tourism right at their doorstep," said Shao Shujuan, a local government staff member.
Maple leaves brighten autumn scenery in east China county
Maple leaves brighten autumn scenery in east China county
Nigeria's fuel market is undergoing a rare shake-up as competition pushes prices lower, bringing relief to local consumers while raising concerns over business durability.
In the capital city of Abuja, the state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has been selling petrol at about 815 naira per liter (about 0.57 U.S. dollars per liter), down from about 0.66 U.S. dollars per liter earlier in 2026. Other stations supplied by private giant Dangote are offering even lower prices, selling at around 750 naira (about 0.53 U.S. dollars) per liter.
For millions of Nigerians, the drop has been easing pressure on transport, food and daily living costs.
"I spend relatively lower on fuel and, by implication, transportation now than what it used to be," said Salifu Usman, a local resident in Abuja.
"We are happy with what we are seeing, because, of course, for a very long time, we are witnessing the crash down of price, even during festive period," said Jonathan Madaki, another resident.
The price cut has also allowed for higher profit margins for local small business operators, who have long relied on petrol-powered generators to cope with chronic power shortages.
Behind the price cuts is a growing battle for market share. The Nigeria-based Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa, has boosted domestic supply and slashed its wholesale price to around 700 naira (about 0.49 U.S. dollars) per liter.
The move has forced importers and the state oil company to lower their own prices to stay competitive. But as margins shrink, analysts warn, what now appears to be a price war may not last.
"My own interpretation is that we are going to that stage where, especially those that, if it keeps coming down, I think those that bring in products may find it not so attractive again. So I don't actually see how sustainable this price war, if I may use that term, will be," said energy expert Paul Ogwu.
Nigeria petrol price cuts ease living costs, raise durability concerns
