The Big Banyan Tree

Posted by : foongpc | Monday, September 14, 2009 | Published in

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After visiting the Jian Shan Temple, the tour bus brought us to our next destination which was The Big Banyan Tree, or Da Rong Shu in Mandarin.

Located by the west bank of Jinbao River in the Moon Hill scenic area, about 7 km south of Yangshuo, it was a major tourist attraction in Yangshuo County.

When I first heard about this Big Banyan Tree, I was like, what? We are going to travel all the way to look at a tree? Are you kidding me?

But it was no ordinary tree! Take a look!

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Standing at about 17 metres high and measuring about 7 metres in diameter around the trunk, the tree was an amazing sight! Can you see those beautifully twisted roots and thick, gnarled branches?

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I walked round the huge tree to take photos. Did you know that the whole tree covered an amazing 1,000 square metres?

First planted during the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618), the tree had survived wind and rain for over 1,400 years! Looking closely, I could see the stems and branches were very old and I could not imagine it had endured the ravages of nature for centuries!

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I found that the tree provided a good shelter from the hot weather and the burning sun. With its thick branches and lush leaves stretching out, the sun could hardly penetrate through. It felt really good standing under the tree!

This Big Banyan Tree became a major tourist attraction after a scene from the famous old movie "The Third Sister Liu" (or "Liu Sanjie" in Mandarin) was filmed here. I have to admit I have not seen the movie before so I did not know the exact spot where the title character Liu Sanjie expressed her affection to her lover.

But I did see the very famous "Impression Liu Sanjie" live show during our stay in Yangshuo and I can tell you it was almost as amazing as the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony! I shall blog about this show in future!

Besides the Big Banyan Tree, I took some photos of the surrounding area. It was actually quite beautiful, with a lot of hills all around.

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But there were also quite a lot of tourists!

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Along the Jinbao River, there were people rafting.

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I felt like crossing the river to the opposite side to explore the cave-like structure, but it was not on our tour's itinerary and with limited time, we had to move on.

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Coming up next : Moon Hill and Dragon Pool

FIRST COMMENTER

(121) Comments

  1. mArNeLLe said...

    hi

    im so very impressed with your blog, i learn a lot from it. Nice posting and content.

    Keep up the good work!.

    pls. add me to your link. Thanks

    http://techiesandnewbies.blogspot.com

    September 14, 2009 at 8:49 AM
  2. Ciela said...

    Amazing tree! I can't comprehend how it was able to survive 1,400 years and still looks great!

    September 14, 2009 at 9:42 AM
  3. HappySurfer said...

    That is an amazing tree, Foong. Wonders never cease.

    That last picture is very interesting.

    Thanks for the sharing.

    September 14, 2009 at 10:10 AM
  4. Faisal Admar said...

    eh... you didn't mention whether we can climb up that tree? hehe now you remind me about my childhood :D

    i love climbing tree!

    hmm, i wish i can visit china soon! not sure can make it to bali or bangkok for this year as bali is kinda risky at the moment and bangkok will have a celebration there. heard people die every year? lol.

    September 14, 2009 at 10:11 AM
  5. Merryn said...

    dat dat dat dat dat Marnelle.. became ur FC effortlessly!! not fair! hahahahahahaha...

    anyway, i so love that big banyan tree.. i wanna go there too! I love trees! the older the better.. (luckily same does not applies to my taste for guys!;p)

    September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
  6. Gallivanter said...

    That tree does look amazing!

    September 14, 2009 at 11:59 AM
  7. Ken Wooi said...

    like a huge octopus.. aha.. =D

    kenwooi.com

    September 14, 2009 at 12:06 PM
  8. fufu said...

    wow wow wow amazing!!!
    a great bayan tree there

    September 14, 2009 at 1:02 PM
  9. Anonymous

    wow..that's one large tree with long extended branches...provides a nice shade huh? :)

    September 14, 2009 at 1:20 PM
  10. [SK] said...

    OMG, that tree is just so amazing!! it's huge, and 1400 years old, unbelievable!!

    September 14, 2009 at 1:34 PM
  11. MiChi said...

    I love going to China, always got lots of story and history to listen.

    Waiting for your next post .... heh heh

    September 14, 2009 at 1:35 PM
  12. Borneo Falcon said...

    Wonder if that tree is haunted or not

    September 14, 2009 at 1:54 PM
  13. eiling lim said...

    I'm sure you can be a good tour guide after all these details!

    September 14, 2009 at 2:12 PM
  14. Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

    You know, many people recommend us to visit China. Based on your photos, no doubt China is beautiful.

    The trees? YEs, I will wonder too if people want me to see trees. But like u said, the trees are really beutiful. Furthermore they live longer than us.

    Nice sharing.

    September 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM
  15. Jean said...

    i love the greenery!

    September 14, 2009 at 3:14 PM
  16. Robo said...

    Thanks for sharing! It's awesome!
    Can we find this tree in Malaysia?

    September 14, 2009 at 4:06 PM
  17. Donna said...

    wah.. that tree is pretty leh...!!!
    one of the amazing stuff on earth --> I said one..
    hahah..

    September 14, 2009 at 5:12 PM
  18. vialentino said...

    darn...the tree is so huge ler. thanks for sharing with us with ur trip pics.

    btw, HP is quite stable compare to Dell....so far no major issues.

    September 14, 2009 at 5:34 PM
  19. Gabriel said...

    WOW! so nice the place. really hope can visit there one day. ur blog make me can't wait anymore...LOL. :)

    September 14, 2009 at 7:07 PM
  20. Tekkaus said...

    Big Banyan tree? Yeah! Indeed it doesn't look ordinary in any way. It looks like the tree grow....everywhere it likes? Extending here and there. LOL :D

    September 14, 2009 at 8:32 PM
  21. manglish said...

    one word - amazing....:)

    September 14, 2009 at 8:34 PM
  22. wenn said...

    ya..unique tree..

    September 14, 2009 at 8:35 PM
  23. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! I can see the beautiful roots! Amazing. How on earth this could happen?

    Wow covering 1000SM? War...that is indeed huge huh!

    September 14, 2009 at 8:35 PM
  24. JL said...

    Wow, foong your blog is fast becoming a photo blog! So many photos. Honestly I like your photos as they are crisp, clear and maybe unedited? I wish I was there to experience the place - clearly photos aren't enough to do justice to the place.

    If there's anything I'd recommend you, it'll be to use IntenseDebate to manage your comments. Since you have sooooooo many comments xD. Last time I would have recommended Echo/JSK but now they charge for installing. Besides you won't believe this - ID is so ridiculously easy to install I was simply surprised! Honest - and I don't get paid for doing this. XD

    September 14, 2009 at 9:12 PM
  25. Tekkaus said...

    WHAT???? 1,400 years old? OMG! Serious? OMG! I could have reincarnated like...20 times? Unbelievable!

    Ouh...so it was involved in a movie before? I see. Perhaps we should search for the movie and watch it. :p

    September 14, 2009 at 9:15 PM
  26. Tekkaus said...

    Wow! There are indeed a lot of beautiful scenery around the big banyan tree huh! By the way, how come there are so many beautiful scenery in China? Still well-protected aye! :)

    Hopefully one day when I visit China all the beauty there are still intact. :p

    September 14, 2009 at 9:16 PM
  27. Tekkaus said...

    People crossing the river using the raft huh! Very "cun" o. I won't there to do that. Well...unless if I were born there and have been doing it for well...decades.. :p

    September 14, 2009 at 9:18 PM
  28. Tekkaus said...

    Anyway Thanks for sharing Foong! The last picture is amazing! :)

    P.S. And Yeah! I have blogged about your gift! :p

    September 14, 2009 at 9:18 PM
  29. Pete said...

    Wow, that is one big and old banyan tree. Can film Kung fu movie under it! LOL!

    September 14, 2009 at 10:48 PM
  30. Mariuca said...

    Wow that tree is amazing, never seen one before Foong, thanks for sharing!

    September 14, 2009 at 11:16 PM
  31. Mariuca said...

    Reminds me of the enchanted forest in enid blyton story book last time!

    September 14, 2009 at 11:16 PM
  32. Mariuca said...

    Happy Monday! Dropping ec as usual hehehe...

    September 14, 2009 at 11:16 PM
  33. Ayie said...

    that tree can be noted as magnificent! Imagine withstanding the forces of nature all throughout the years!

    happy monday!!

    September 15, 2009 at 2:16 AM
  34. LifeRamblings said...

    i wonder why your pics take forever to load. i can't view some of your pics.

    September 15, 2009 at 7:40 AM
  35. LifeRamblings said...

    the tree is amazingly unique. i've not come across one before. thanks for the snippets.

    September 15, 2009 at 7:41 AM
  36. LifeRamblings said...

    it sure looks cooling and comforting to be standing under such giant tree.

    September 15, 2009 at 7:42 AM
  37. Monica said...

    I can't see some of your pics Foong! I don't know why..

    September 15, 2009 at 7:54 AM
  38. Monica said...

    wow the tree had survived for over 1,400 years?! I can't see the third pic pulak :-D

    September 15, 2009 at 7:59 AM
  39. khengsiong said...

    The big banyan tree looks great, but I still prefer the wishing tree in HK, LOL...

    September 15, 2009 at 10:12 AM
  40. lina said...

    Wow! The tree is so old. :O

    September 15, 2009 at 10:29 AM
  41. ladyviral said...

    Oh the tree looks so grand! so gorgeous! I wonder why Malaysia got no such things!

    The place look so kampung-ish :P.

    September 15, 2009 at 12:44 PM
  42. ladyviral said...

    But I am still in awe by the tree!

    September 15, 2009 at 12:44 PM
  43. Superman said...

    That tree is really awesome!

    September 15, 2009 at 12:47 PM
  44. iamthewitch said...

    Oh, so there really IS a banyan tree! I saw Banyan Tree Resorts before and wondered how they got their name. LOL

    September 15, 2009 at 2:05 PM
  45. foongpc said...

    Thanks for all your comments! Again too busy to reply to each comments! : (

    Will try and reply when time permits! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 3:13 PM
  46. HappySurfer said...

    psstt.. I was beginning to wonder when this celebrity-blogger status will take its toll..

    September 15, 2009 at 3:37 PM
  47. Che-Cheh said...

    Wow the tree is HUGE! Definitely worth the visit. And the cave... looks interesting from afar.

    September 15, 2009 at 6:31 PM
  48. foongpc said...

    mArNeLLe, thanks! Added you in blog roll : )

    September 15, 2009 at 7:58 PM
  49. foongpc said...

    beng gee, me neither! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 7:59 PM
  50. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, it's an amazing tree indeed! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM
  51. foongpc said...

    faisal, no we are not allowed to climb up the tree. In fact, we can't even get to touch the tree trunk. So are you going Bali or Bangkok? : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:02 PM
  52. foongpc said...

    merryn, haha! The older the better? And don't apply to guys? LOL!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:03 PM
  53. foongpc said...

    gallivanter, it sure does! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:03 PM
  54. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, huge octopus? Haha!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:03 PM
  55. foongpc said...

    fufu, yes it's amazing! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:04 PM
  56. foongpc said...

    mei teng, oh yes! Definitely a great place to shade myself from the hot sun! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:05 PM
  57. foongpc said...

    SK, yes indeed at 1,400 years and still standing strong! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:05 PM
  58. foongpc said...

    michi, I guess China is steeped in wonderful history! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:06 PM
  59. foongpc said...

    borneo falcon, haunted? That's the last thing on my mind when I looked at the tree! But yeah, who knows? Spirits like to live in such old, ancient tree! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:08 PM
  60. foongpc said...

    eiling, haha! Far from qualifying as a tour guide! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:08 PM
  61. foongpc said...

    willie, yes China has so much beautiful scenery! So you should visit it! This banyan tree definitely has a much longer life than humans! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:10 PM
  62. foongpc said...

    SJ, me too! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:10 PM
  63. foongpc said...

    robo, I don't think we can find such a tree in Malaysia. But who knows, maybe somewhere deep in the rainforests of Malaysia waiting to be discovered? : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:11 PM
  64. foongpc said...

    dolly, I agree, indeed it's one of the amazing things on earth : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:12 PM
  65. foongpc said...

    vialentino, yes it's huge indeed! Really? HP better than Dell? Lucky I bought laptop from HP! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:14 PM
  66. foongpc said...

    gabriel, wah, my blog that good? Can have the effect of making you want to visit China? Can't wait anymore? Then, wait no longer - Go now!! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:16 PM
  67. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, yeah, so big right? The branches seem to extend all the way out far from its trunk!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:17 PM
  68. foongpc said...

    manglish, amazing indeed! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:17 PM
  69. foongpc said...

    wenn, yes it's unique indeed! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:18 PM
  70. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, yes unbelievable it's 1,400 years old right? Yes you could have reincarnated more than 20 times! Haha!

    Yes, should search for this old "Liu Sanjie" movie to watch! See how the big banyan tree looked like back then!

    If I were to cross that river, I don't mind sitting on the raft provided someone help to steer it! haha!

    And thanks for blogging about the mini mahjong set! Glad you received it! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:22 PM
  71. foongpc said...

    JL, thanks! I don't think my blog has turned into a photo blog just yet! Haha!

    Oh, now you switched camp and recommend Intense Debate instead? Where's your loyalty to JS Kit? haha! Just kidding!

    I will use Intense Debate when I start another blog. For this blog, I will stick to this present system. Thanks for the recommendation!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:25 PM
  72. foongpc said...

    pete, haha, definitely can : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:26 PM
  73. foongpc said...

    mariuca, enchanted forests in Enid Blyton's book? Haha! That's a good one! Thanks for dropping EC here! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:27 PM
  74. foongpc said...

    ayie, happy monday, I mean tuesday to you! Yeah, it is a magnificent tree! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:28 PM
  75. foongpc said...

    life ramblings, took forever to load? I don't know why! Sorry about that! Return next time to view the photos - I'm sure it'll be OK next time!

    It was definitely cooling standing under the giant tree. Once I stepped out of its shade, I started sweating! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:30 PM
  76. foongpc said...

    monica, you too can't see some of the photos? I really don't know why! Sorry! Well, at least you managed to see the first photo of the tree right? I think that should be good enough! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:31 PM
  77. foongpc said...

    khengsiong, I have not been to the wishing tree in HK. Hope to visit it one day! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:32 PM
  78. foongpc said...

    lina, yeah, so ancient! Like Tekkaus said, he already reincarnated 20 times and the tree is still standing there! haha!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:33 PM
  79. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, the place looked kampong-ish? Well, that's because we were not in the city! haha!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:34 PM
  80. foongpc said...

    superman, awesome indeed! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:36 PM
  81. foongpc said...

    iamthewitch, yes there's really a banyan tree but I think there are many banyan trees in the world, just that this one is called The Big Banyan Tree : )

    Oh, Banyan Tree Resorts - I've heard about that resorts before!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:38 PM
  82. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, what celebrity blogger status? I am far from reaching that status! Just a bit more busy these days ; )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:39 PM
  83. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, yeah it's worth visiting! The cave sure looked interesting to me, but too bad didn't visit it!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:40 PM
  84. Cherry said...

    you have one great blog! the banyan tree is humongous! and the river sure looks inviting, too bad it was not in your itenerary to explore the cave. however, i can tell you had fun travelling. nice photos!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:50 PM
  85. Faisal Admar said...

    foong, we haven't decided where to go yet with the current situation like h1n1 and controversy in indonesia.

    September 15, 2009 at 9:05 PM
  86. keeyit said...

    Guilin cheap for air asia ma... I wanted to go le..

    September 15, 2009 at 9:15 PM
  87. molly said...

    Oh, nice pictures and scenery. That bayan tree definely is unique.

    September 15, 2009 at 9:32 PM
  88. Johnny Ong said...

    aiyah, u wasted the chance to use that pole to guide yr 'boat' across the river leh. u'll realise that the little boat won't go where u wanted to

    September 16, 2009 at 12:23 AM
  89. ~Elaine Tam~ said...

    Bayan tree....never see in real life before....hopefully i got chance to do it soon~ =___="

    How does it feel as compare to see it in picture? Syiokkk??!

    September 16, 2009 at 8:15 AM
  90. annant said...

    wow...giant ol tree haha!
    it looks like a tree which people would throw red string thingy on da tree for divination
    watch too muchy tvb drama =.=

    September 16, 2009 at 9:18 AM
  91. HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

    I saw a tree like this in Hawaii in Lanai in the middle of the town. I am still so intrigued with it and love all your pictures! You are the best to always share your adventures!

    September 16, 2009 at 10:28 AM
  92. Shingo T said...

    It's not a big banyan tree.

    It's a Godzilla-gantic banyan tree!

    September 16, 2009 at 11:16 AM
  93. Reanaclaire said...

    haha..godzilla.. i almost forgotten that name..
    yes, indeed the banyan tree is so so unique.. amazing.. so much so it becomes a tourist spot...
    great sharing Foong!

    September 16, 2009 at 12:47 PM
  94. Oman said...

    the tree is huge. i wud have difficulty putting it all in one frame lol. glad u had great time there.

    September 16, 2009 at 2:01 PM
  95. xin said...

    water rafting in such a nice place seems really fun! but none of them was wearing the vest...? hmmmm safe?

    September 16, 2009 at 5:08 PM
  96. Ice said...

    Those trees are unusual. The weather looks quite warm. Was it humid too?

    September 16, 2009 at 6:11 PM
  97. Anonymous

    almost surreal, looking at those branches, amidst the 'dance' around the trunk.

    September 16, 2009 at 7:40 PM
  98. BURA

    Well Foong! did you tie a yellow ribbon round the old banyan tree, it's been one thousand four hundred years and you still get to see?

    September 16, 2009 at 9:01 PM
  99. Struggling Parents said...

    Incredible, thanks for sharing, very interesting !!!

    September 16, 2009 at 10:05 PM
  100. bluedreamer27 said...

    wow amazing, i wonder how old that tree was

    September 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
  101. eastcoastlife said...

    The scenery is so beautiful and gives me a certain calmness and peace. Should retire here. :P

    September 17, 2009 at 2:46 PM
  102. foongpc said...

    cher, thanks for dropping by! Yes the banyan tree is humongous and I had fun traveling! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:03 AM
  103. foongpc said...

    faisal, I think better not go Indonesia at the moment. Maybe you should go Thailand : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:04 AM
  104. foongpc said...

    keeyit, yes very cheap! Quick! Book your flight! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:05 AM
  105. foongpc said...

    molly, thanks! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:06 AM
  106. foongpc said...

    johnny ong, it's OK, I am not into rafting : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:07 AM
  107. foongpc said...

    elaine tam, oh the experience of being there is totally different from seeing it in pictures. In fact, I don't think my photos can do justice to the real thing : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:09 AM
  108. foongpc said...

    annant, yes you are right! I know exactly what you are talking about cos I also watch a lot of TVB dramas! haha!

    September 18, 2009 at 12:10 AM
  109. foongpc said...

    health nut wannabee mom, there's a tree like this in Hawaii? Interesting! I have yet to see this type of tree in my country Malaysia!

    September 18, 2009 at 12:12 AM
  110. foongpc said...

    shingo T, godzilla-gantic banyan tree? haha! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:13 AM
  111. foongpc said...

    reanaclaire, yes, it's a major tourist attraction in Yangshuo : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:15 AM
  112. foongpc said...

    lawstude, really? Surely not with your extremely advanced DSLR? Thanks for dropping by! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:16 AM
  113. foongpc said...

    xin, I don't think they really care about safety there! All my water activities did not require us to wear life jackets! And I don't know how to swim!

    September 18, 2009 at 12:18 AM
  114. foongpc said...

    ai shiang, yes rather unusual tree right? You don't normally see this kind of tree. The weather is hot and rather humid, but I think it's not as humid as Malaysia.

    September 18, 2009 at 12:21 AM
  115. foongpc said...

    J2Kfm, yes almost surreal : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:22 AM
  116. foongpc said...

    bura, as a matter of fact, no I didn't! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:22 AM
  117. foongpc said...

    mee moe, glad you find it interesting, thanks for dropping by! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:24 AM
  118. foongpc said...

    bluedreamer27, it was about 1,400 years old! It's an ancient tree! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:25 AM
  119. foongpc said...

    eastcoastlife, yes peaceful and calm but I don't think I will retire here. Nice place to go for a holiday but I prefer to retire in home sweet home Malaysia : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:27 AM
  120. bluedreamer27 said...

    oh interesting thanks for the info foong

    September 22, 2009 at 10:33 AM
  121. foongpc said...

    bluedreamer27, you are welcome! : )

    September 23, 2009 at 11:55 PM