Residents and tourists in Beijing are flocking to parks to admire the palette-like autumn scenery as leaves have lost their green color with the drop in temperatures.
Autumn is widely considered the most beautiful season in the Chinese capital. The pleasant weather makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking through gardens, where the golden and flaming foliage of ginkgo, ash, maple, and sumac trees against a backdrop of bright sunshine create an enchanting autumn color view.
"It feels amazing to be here in person. We all rushed to take pictures. The scenery is truly breathtaking," said Li Haiqing, a visitor.
"I deliberately picked a perfect red leaf on the ground. It can be used as a bookmark or placed under a table or mirror to be an excellent decoration," said Hu Sihua, another visitor.
While capturing the seasonal splendor through lens, visitors also collect various fallen leaves and fruits to create unique tabletop gardens or paintings, trying to preserve the beauty and memory of this autumn.
"Residents are encouraged to carry out activities like 'picking up the autumn.' They can take these natural elements home to decorate their lives, so that the nature can be better preserved," said Li Liang, deputy dean of the School of National Park at Beijing Forestry University.
Tourists flock to Beijing gardens to capture vibrant autumn scenery
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
