I only just came across your blog when searching for some information on bamboo and Anji. Very interesting writing and pics about Anji and also Hangzhou, where I live. This year in Hangzhou, the osmanthus (that’s the spelling, no ‘t’) aroma was strongest in mid-October. In September, there was just the barest hint of it. There’s often more than one period for the sublime smell, but I agree with you the aroma is totally amazing at its peak, it resembles sweet apricots. You are right, nobody needs to go out of the city centre to smell it – around Wulin Square was particularly strong this year.