Writers have long captured the changing seasons in China not only through landscapes, but also through the lives, customs and memories of the people who inhabit them. From the rain-soaked streets of Kunming to a historic garden in Beijing and the snow-covered pastures of Xinjiang, these literary journeys offer a unique way to discover your next destination.

Spring and summer: Find the poetry of rain in Kunming in Wang Zengqi's works

"The rainy season in Kunming is bright, abundant, and deeply moving. In spring, the city is overgrown with grass and trees; in early summer, the foliage grows lush. The rainy season in Kunming is a rich, verdant green."

This is how contemporary writer Wang Zengqi describes Kunming in his essay The Rain in Kunming, capturing a season that is as much about the city's atmosphere as it is about its weather. For Wang, rain is not something to escape from. It brings the city to life, nourishing its vegetation and filling its markets with seasonal delicacies. He writes about wild mushrooms gathered from the surrounding mountains, the distinctive charcoal bayberries, and the pleasure of enjoying simple meals during the rainy season.

Born in Jiangsu Province, Wang spent part of his youth studying and living in Kunming during the 1930s and 1940s. His affection for the city shines through in his writing.

Where to go: Visit Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, particularly between spring and early summer. Known as the "Spring City" for its mild climate, Kunming is an inviting destination for exploring gardens, lakes and local markets.

The literary connection: Wang's writing encourages visitors to experience Kunming through its everyday pleasures rather than simply ticking off landmarks. Its rain, seasonal ingredients and relaxed pace reveal a distinctive local way of life.

Autumn: Find a quiet corner of Beijing in Ditan Park through Shi Tiesheng's works

"What if the sounds in the park are associated with four seasons? Then spring should be the cooing of pigeons hovering above the sacrificial altar; summer should be the persistently tedious and shrill singing of cicadas and the rustling of poplar leaves poking fun at the cicadas' singing; autumn should be the chiming of wind-bells that hang under the eaves of the ancient temple; and winter should be the random sound of woodpeckers echoing in the open air."

In his deeply personal essay The Temple of Earth and I, Shi Tiesheng recalls the years he spent visiting the Temple of Earth, or Ditan Park, in Beijing. The park gradually became much more than a place to escape the city. Through his observations of plants, trees, insects and the changing seasons, Shi explores time, memory, family and the meaning of existence.

Autumn is a particularly evocative time to follow in his footsteps. The changing foliage, fallen leaves and quiet pathways of Ditan offer visitors a chance to experience a more contemplative side of Beijing.

Where to go: Visit Ditan Park in Beijing's Dongcheng District. Originally built in 1530 as an altar where emperors performed rituals to worship the Earth, the park is an important example of traditional Chinese architecture. Beyond Ditan, visitors can explore Beijing's traditional hutong neighborhoods and nearby historic landmarks to discover how the Chinese capital's past and present coexist.

The literary connection: Shi's essay transforms a public park into a place of personal memory and philosophical reflection. Reading it before visiting can help travelers look beyond the park's historical significance and appreciate how people connect with their surroundings through everyday experiences.

Winter: Experience the vastness of Xinjiang's pastures via Li Juan's works

"The earth was pale and boundless, but the sky was as dark as metal – heavy, lustrous, and hard. Nothing else existed between heaven and earth. There was another world across from our world, one beyond the curtain at the world's edge, a seemingly impenetrable world. Yet, slowly and silently we crossed into it."

In Winter Pasture, essayist Li Juan accompanies a Kazakh herding family on their seasonal migration to winter pastures. Rather than presenting the region as a distant wilderness, she brings readers into the family's daily routines, from tending livestock and riding horses to collecting snow for water and finding ways to keep warm in freezing temperatures.

Through vivid observations and understated humor, Li captures the quiet beauty of life on the grasslands in Altay, Xinjiang. Her account offers a glimpse into the bond between people, animals and the land they call home.

Where to go: Head to the Altay region in northern Xinjiang. Kanas Lake, Hemu Village and the surrounding mountains are among the area's best-known destinations. In winter, snow transforms Hemu's wooden houses, forests and mountain slopes into a striking landscape.

The literary connection: Li's writing encourages readers to understand the people behind the landscape, not just admire the views.