The Big Banyan Tree

The Big Banyan Tree

The Big Banyan Tree is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The scenic area is located in Chuanyan Village, Gaotian, 7.5 kilometers south of Yangshuo County. The Jinbao River flows through it and is named after an extraordinary ancient banyan tree by the riverbank, which is said to have been planted during the Sui Dynasty, dating back about 1,500 years.

The ancient banyan is 17 meters tall, with a circumference of 7 meters, and covers an area of about 1,000 square meters. Its crown is round-shaped, resembling a giant green umbrella from afar. Up close, its roots twist intricately, with lush foliage and numerous thick roots. One branch, 0.6 meters in diameter, extends horizontally over 10 meters, about 1 meter above the ground, resembling a coiled dragon suddenly emerging — a truly unique sight. A single tree forms a forest, standing gracefully by the Golden River, and is revered by locals as a “sacred tree.” People often burn incense under it to pray for blessings. The tree’s horizontal spread exudes both a solemn, majestic gravity and a light, airy grace. The scene where Liu Sanjie and Brother Niu tie the love knot under the banyan tree in the movie *Liu Sanjie* was filmed here.

Beneath the ancient tree, the Jinbao River flows gently, clear as a mirror. Across the river, a small rocky hill rises abruptly from the flat land. A tunnel runs straight through its middle, resembling a giant stone gate wide open, vibrant with colors — this is called Chuanyan (Rock Cave).

The riverside “Banyan Shade Ancient Ferry” is one of Yangshuo’s scenic highlights. This spot was also used as a filming location for the movie *Liu Sanjie*, where Liu Sanjie and Brother Niu fell in love and pledged their lives to each other. The climbing area around the Big Banyan Tree features one of the most challenging natural rock walls in China.

Admission & Opening Hours

20 RMB, opening hours: 8:00–17:30

Transportation

1. Within Yangshuo County, you can take an electric cart or ride a bicycle to get there; it is about 7 kilometers from downtown Yangshuo.

2. You can also take a Li River rafting trip to Gongnong Bridge, where the Big Banyan Tree is located nearby.