Millennium Ancient Maple Forest on Holy Relic Mountain

Millennium Ancient Maple Forest on Holy Relic Mountain

The ancient maple forest on Holy Relic Mountain is located 3.5 kilometers west of Yemaotai Town government, on the north side of Yexi Line, northeast of Toutaizi Village. It lies to the west of the Ye Maotai Holy Relic Mountain Liao Tombs, a national key cultural relics protection unit, within the heritage protection zone of the Liao tombs site, facing the protected tomb area across the mountain. The ancient maple forest covers an area of over 200 acres and contains more than 800 trees, all of which are yuanbao maples. Among them, the “Tree King” is 999 years old, with a crown covering an area of over 200 square meters, a diameter at breast height of about 1.3 meters, a circumference of 3.9 meters, and so large that it takes three people to encircle the trunk.

The yuanbao maples in this forest generally have an average age of over 100 years, making them truly ancient trees. This is the oldest and largest planted ancient yuanbao maple forest in China, as well as a unique maple tree cluster in Liaoning. Historical records indicate that these maples were planted no later than the Tang Dynasty. Though damaged multiple times throughout history, the current surviving grove of older maple trees was planted in the fourth year of the Kaibao era of the Liao Dynasty (1015 AD).

Yuanbao maples, belonging to the Aceraceae family and Acer genus, are deciduous trees with large canopies and graceful forms. Depending on their age and the maturity of the leaves, their colors vary greatly—even on the same tree, older branches and new shoots can display distinctly different hues. A single yuanbao maple can exhibit over ten shades including deep red, crimson, light red, orange-red, orange-yellow, bright yellow, pale yellow, tender green, and dark green, making it an excellent tree species for streets, courtyards, and scenic areas. Native to China, it is commonly found in Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, northwest Liaoning, and northern Jiangsu, growing at altitudes between 300 and 2,000 meters. These trees usually grow sporadically and are limited in number. The scale and quantity of the yuanbao maples in Faku is truly rare.

The millennium-old maple forest is a natural and cultural heritage, hidden in the mountains for thousands of years and only recently unveiled. This tranquil, ancient maple grove is now referred to as a sacred woodland and a blessed forest for praying for good fortune. A local saying goes, “Walk through the maple forest and you’ll live to ninety-nine.”

The thousand-year-old yuanbao maples of Holy Relic Mountain in Yemaotai have been called a living fossil for studying the history and culture of the Liao Dynasty. They hold significant ecological, scientific, historical, and ornamental value, making them a precious national asset. These trees possess both biological worth and living historical-cultural significance. Protecting these ancient trees is important not only for preserving China’s biological resources but also its historical heritage.

Source: Faku County People's Government Website

Yemaotai Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Faku County. Established as Yemaotai Commune in 1961, upgraded to a township in 1984, and became a town in 1985. Located in the western part of the county, 45 kilometers from the county seat, it covers an area of 175 square kilometers with a population of 22,000. The Beijing-Shenyang North Line highway passes through the town. It administers 16 village committees: Liujia, Taipingzhuang, Yanhuangdi, Miaotaishan, Dangshishan, Butuozi, Mutuozi, Sijiaoshan, Xiaohuangdi, Ertaizi, Toutaizi, Yemaotai, Zhenzijie, Taipingshan, Siguanbao, and Shizhuangzi. Local enterprises include trade businesses and mineral water plants. The main agricultural products are corn and peanuts. Attractions include... More detailed information on Yemaotai Town++