Nanjiang Huangbai Forest

Nanjiang Huangbai Forest

The Huangbai Forest stretches approximately 130 li from Dongyupu, 20 kilometers southwest of Nanjiang County, along the ancient post road — the Micang Path — southward to Baichangping in Xialiang, covering a forested area of 33 hectares. Lining both sides of the Banan Highway, these trees have historically been state-owned. There are currently over 2,000 ancient cypress trees with a DBH of more than one chi, the tallest reaching over 50 meters, and the largest with a DBH of over two meters. There are also many saplings with a DBH of less than one chi. According to the second-class forest resource survey of our county, the standing timber volume is 11,551 cubic meters. In Luoping Village, Shahe Town, there is a dead tree that stands 32 meters tall with a DBH of 1.2 meters. Tree ring analysis has determined its age to be 525 years. The trees display a myriad of majestic forms. Viewed from a high vantage point, they resemble a green dragon dancing amid the clouds and mist. Venturing deeper into the forest, one truly experiences the beauty described as “cold mist disperses into the void, fragrant flakes drift down; thousands of trees line the riverbanks, their lush branches and leaves clustering toward the sky; unafraid of summer sun or winter snow, their gnarled heads and split horns squat like bears (pi xiong); their twisted trunks and limbs stand firm like bronze and iron.” Locals have given many of the trees evocative names based on their shapes, such as “The King of Huangbai,” “Male and Female Cypresses,” and others, and numerous beautiful myths and folk tales are associated with them. In 1933, when the Red Army came to Nanjiang, they marched through the Huangbai Forest en route to Bazhong, Wangcang, and Guangyuan. Troops were stationed in the woods, and catching the enemy off guard, they annihilated three main regiments in the battle of Huanghuapian and Bamiya — the famous Battle of Huanghuapian. Central leaders such as Xu Xiangqian, Li Xiannian, Wang Shusheng, and Li Desheng passed through the forest many times. To this day, numerous stone-carved slogans remain on the rocks in the forest, authentically documenting the policies and principles of the time.

The origins of the Nanjiang Huangbai Forest date back to ancient times, with no written steles or records to confirm its beginnings. According to the 1827 edition of the Nanjiang County Annals: “Departing from Dongyupu in the east of the county, the ancient cypresses along the river are interspersed densely and sparsely, stretching directly for over a hundred li. From a high vantage point, they look like a green dragon shimmering amid the landscape, winding up and down. Locals say that during the Ming Dynasty, a certain Magistrate Yang planted trees to protect the mountain paths, preventing major floods from eroding the embankments and safeguarding people’s fields — perhaps this was a continuation of the legacy of kindness like the ‘Sweet Tulip Tree.’ It is a pity that no steles remain for confirmation.” Furthermore, the 1922 (Republican Era Year 11) edition of the Nanjiang County Annals states: “Stretching from Zhenjiang Temple, 20 li from the county town, to the mouth of Xialiang River, a total of 140 li, the forest is interspersed densely and sparsely, with old trunks towering into the sky, some dozens of spans in girth, numbering over 4,000 trees. Viewed from a height, they look like a green dragon.” Since the Qin and Han dynasties, emphasis has been placed on agriculture and sericulture, afforestation, commerce, road construction, and the circulation of goods, with major roads established between prefectures and counties. These roads featured “a rest stop every five li, a post station every forty li.” Cypress and pine trees were planted along the roadsides, known as shade trees, and the ancient path that runs through the Huangbai Forest has since ancient times been part of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Micang Post Road. Along the way, there were “a shop every five li, a post every ten li,” and these place names are still in use today. The most intact surviving sections feature ancient cypresses planted at equal intervals, with clear signs of artificial cultivation, while the rest grew naturally from seeds. Based on historical records, Zhang Fei passed through Nanjiang on his way to Bazhong, and later served as governor of Hanzhong (214 AD – 227 AD). To report military and political affairs to Zhuge Liang and submit official documents, but due to frequent warfare and rugged roads, delays often occurred. To facilitate travel and maintain the roads, he organized road repairs and planted trees to mark the way, which were later supplemented by generations of plantings.

According to the Mingchan Record (Mingchan Lu), tree ownership was officially categorized — whether state-owned or private — and those who illegally felled trees were punished accordingly. At the time, trees were divided into state-owned (official/government) and private (personally owned). State-owned trees were considered the property of the royal family. It is possible that Magistrate Yang mobilized the public to replant trees and submitted proposals to higher authorities, resulting in an imperial decree for permanent protection and a ban on logging, hence the name “Imperial Cypresses,” also called “Forbidden Cypresses.” His merit in forest conservation is indelible.