Yunlin Chestnut Sea

Yunlin Chestnut Sea

Known as the "hometown of chestnuts" in China, where "willows shade the road hiding the village, and deep within the green woods lies a settlement," the Ancient Chestnut Forest along the Shu River in Baimao Town, Linshu County, Linyi, is located on the eastern floodplain of the northern section of the Shu River in the western part of the Cangma Mountain Scenic Area. It has long been hailed as the "Shu River Chestnut Sea." The chestnut forest stretches along the river across the entire Shu River basin, extending 15 kilometers from south to north and several li from east to west, covering a total area of over 100,000 mu. With approximately five million ancient chestnut trees—most planted during the Ming and Qing dynasties—many still flourish with abundant branches and fruit today.

The largest chestnut trees have a diameter of about 2 meters, and the oldest is the ancient Tang Dynasty chestnut at Yunlin Temple, said to have been personally planted by Cheng Yaojia, leader of the Wagang Rebel Army during the Sui and Tang periods. Thus, locals call it the "Thousand-Year-Old Chestnut Ancestor." In front of the temple, a couplet reads: “I ask where the evergreen woods get their jade-like waters and golden sands to paint such a scroll through the four seasons; I listen as the thousand-year-old chestnut ancestor converses with idle clouds and refined scholars about the vicissitudes of time.” Wu Buhan, a renowned scholar of the Qing Dynasty, described the spectacular scenery of the Shu River Chestnut Sea in his “Ode to Yunlin Temple at Mulin Village”: “Spring grass connects the ponds, gentle breezes drift around the corridors, a few red apricot blossoms bloom, and ten thousand emerald willows sway. Swallows fly in pairs testing their shears, orioles trill endless melodies. Often, I take my fishing rod and wine, inspiring poetic thoughts. When morning rain has just passed and the noon shade brings a sudden coolness, frogs drum in duets and cicadas play their strings. I rejoice as the warm breeze arrives naturally and rest my head in the blissful ease of the ancient sages. Then, as chestnut leaves gradually yellow and maple woods half frost over, osmanthus buds form, and chrysanthemums bloom in quiet fragrance. I send thoughts afar across a thousand miles, watching for a lone line of wild geese. Eventually, when all the leaves have fallen and the bare woods grow solemn, snow clings to the trees, and the landscape dazzles in white.” The verse “A boundless expanse of green on the cliffs of the Shu River, thousands upon thousands of chestnut blossoms in bloom; the gentle breeze knows best the traveler’s heart, thus bringing their fragrance to brush your face” is an heartfelt tribute and admiration from those times.

The trees of the Shu River Chestnut Sea display a myriad of postures and peculiar shapes. On the golden, soft sandy forest belt, lush grass thrives and colorful butterflies flutter. In spring, flowers bloom across the trees; in summer, the chestnut woods are deep and tranquil; in autumn, they bear abundant fruit; and in winter, snow falls as cranes take flight, making it a true chestnut forest paradise. Various peach, plum, and other fruit trees dot the woods, alongside many rare wild animals and plants. The Chestnut Sea is rich in cultural heritage and brimming with legends and stories of human interest. The love story of the ancient outlaw hero Luo Cheng is widely known. Notably, the ruins of Yunlin Temple, the tales of the Dragon and Phoenix Chestnuts, the legend of Zhonghua Mountain, and the morning bells and evening drums of Liuyi Temple all add an air of mystery to the ancient chestnut forest. Today, experts recognize this chestnut grove as an ideal destination for modern leisure, returning to nature, and hosting large-scale festivals and events.

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