Bald cypresses: A kaleidoscope of color in the heart of the city

As the New Year begins, the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), also known as swamp cypress, unveils its most enchanting chapter.

Its feathery foliage dances through a palette of red, gold, and emerald, casting a romantic glow over the urban landscape.

Between December and January, the trees undergo a slow and graceful transformation. Leaves shift from fresh green to warm yellow, then deepen into glowing orange before settling into rich crimson. This month-long metamorphosis turns Shenzhen into a living canvas of seasonal art.

On a winter afternoon, sunlight spills across the lawns of the Lianhua Hill Park. Along the lakeshore, rows of bald cypresses stand in quiet splendor, their multi-hued leaves shimmering like stained glass in the gentle light. The water mirrors their brilliance, creating a scene that feels both serene and magical.

It is no wonder that photographers and nature lovers alike are drawn to this spectacle, eager to capture its fleeting beauty and preserve it in memory and image.

Bald cypress trees in Lianhua Hill Park make a picturesque scene. Photos by Sun Yuchen except otherwise stated

• Visitor takes photos with bald cypresses at Silver Lake Reservoir. Lin Songtao



Bald cypress trees at Honghu Park add a seasonal charm to the city’s landscape. Zhang Lingyan



Bald cypresses by the lake have turned red and yellow at Taihua Wutong Island. Lin Songtao