Streets turn new leaf for autumn beauty

Fallen leaves will be left on 29 streets this autumn to create a colorful spectacle, Shanghai's greenery authorities has announced.

Visitors to streets such as Sinan, Julu, Hengshan, Yuyuan and Xinhua will be able to appreciate not only the golden canopies above their heads — but the dry foliage beneath their feet.

"These streets feature a variety of tree species such as plane, camphor, gingko, sweet gum and goldenrain," said Fu Liping, an official with the Shanghai Greenery and Public Sanitation Bureau.

"Autumn is the best time to appreciate colorful foliage in Shanghai, and fallen leaves endow a romantic and beautiful view of the city," said Fu. "They will present a canvas of red, orange, yellow, golden and purple."

The chosen roads will have different periods ranging from November 15 at the earliest, to January 1 at the latest, according to the bureau.

Mid and late November will be the best times to see the streets.

There were several selection criteria for the  streets, said Fu.

The fallen leaves shouldn't affect the flow of traffic and the leaf landscape must be in line with the overall style of the streets.

Some streets are different from last year after feedback from residents, because of construction work and judgment about whether the street was a success.

Sanitation workers will separate waste from fallen leaves  and make sure the leaves don’t block drainage.

On rainy and hazy days, or in cases of big events, fallen leaves will be removed to ensure the safety of walkers.

The bureau has called on residents and tourists not to litter and to help preserve the streetscapes.

A shutterbug photographic contest themed on the city's most beautiful fallen leaf streets will be launched.