Jiarang Village

Jiarang Village

Jiarang Village is situated in the southwestern part of Duyun City, 64.5 kilometers from the city center and 6.5 kilometers from the Shilong Community Service Center. It borders Gonghe Village to the east, Xinlong Village to the south, Yao’xiang Township of Guiding County to the west, and Baisang Village in the Jiangzhou area of Maojian Town to the north, covering an area of 30 square kilometers. The village consists of 11 villager groups and 14 natural hamlets. It is classified as a provincial-level second-class impoverished village, with a total of 668 households and 2,630 people, among whom the Buyi ethnic group accounts for 99% of the population. The arable land covers 4,100 mu, including 2,316.67 mu of paddy fields and over 1,800 mu of dry land, primarily used for growing rice and corn. Jiarang Village features karst topography with complex terrain and significant elevation changes, mostly deep mountains and gorges. It is home to many rare plant species. The Tangbang “Golden Nanmu Ancient Tree Group” landscape includes 108 ancient trees that are thousands of years old, six of which have diameters exceeding 2 meters. Among them, the largest golden nanmu tree stands at the very front of Tangbang Dazhai, with a diameter of about 3 meters, requiring 7–8 people to encircle it. It is over 80 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 18 meters. Looking up from the base, the canopy is broad and lush, densely foliated and sun-blocking, while the main trunk resembles a pillar reaching the sky. According to on-site assessments by forestry experts, the tree is estimated to be over 1,600 years old. This tree species is unique to the hills behind Tangbang, characterized by solid wood, towering height, and evergreen foliage all year round. It was traditionally used for imperial coffins and furniture. Throughout the year, visitors come to admire the scenery. Every year during the local Buyi “Ghost Festival” (Zhongyuan Festival), the community holds the “Zhongyuan Fragrant Flower Festival” under the trees, where young men and women gather to sing and dance, presenting a harmonious scene of humans coexisting with nature. This site holds great tourism potential awaiting development.

Shilong Ancient Tree Group – The Quirkiest Highlights of Qiannan

Shilong is located at the southwestern corner of Duyun City, Qiannan Prefecture, at the junction of Duyun, Pingtang, and Guiding cities/counties. It is 58 kilometers from the city center, bordering Kai Kou to the east, Kaiyou to the south, Zhangbu Township of Pingtang County and Tiechang Township of Guiding County to the west, and Yao’xiang Township of Guiding County and Jiangzhou Town of Duyun City to the north. The area covers 133.6 square kilometers and includes four administrative villages. The region is home to many ethnic minorities, predominantly the Buyi and Miao peoples.

The entire township features typical karst landscapes. The highest point is Jiguanpo Peak, at 1,390 meters above sea level, located in the northwest corner of Shilong. The lowest points are the outlets of Bailang River and Majia River at 800 meters above sea level. The area has a mid-subtropical climate with over 350 frost-free days. Local tourist attractions include large caves such as Buzhai Cave and Xiaochong Burial Cave, rafting along the Majia River and Bailang River, and the expansive grasslands of Luanlongbei suitable for wild medicinal herbs and Maofeng tea cultivation. Perhaps most uniquely beautiful are the ancient tree group landscapes, which offer rare and breathtaking views—truly a natural wonder seldom seen in the world. These ancient trees, some thousands of years old, still reach proudly into the sky and await development. Integrating Shilong’s tourism with broader Qiannan and even Pingtang’s “Rescue Stone” site could enhance the visitor experience, leaving a more memorable impression.

Tangbang Golden Nanmu – The Divine Tree King

The golden nanmu tree grows in the original mountain forest of Tangbang Dazhai in Shilong Township, about 3,500 meters from the township government. This species is found only in the hills behind Tangbang. The wood is dense, vigorous, tall, and evergreen. After on-site investigation by forestry experts, it has been recognized as the finest in Qiannan and designated as a protected ancient tree. The largest specimen stands at the foot of the mountain in the front of Tangbang Dazhai, in the middle of the village. It has a diameter of 4.6 meters, requires 8–9 people to encircle, is 76 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 18 meters, and covers over 4 mu of ground. Standing at its base and looking up, the canopy is broad and umbrella-like, densely leaved and sun-blocking. The main trunk resembles a pillar reaching the heavens. Elders say it is at least several thousand years old, standing like a giant in the forests of Qiannan’s Buyi villages.

Since the liberation, this ancient tree group has received care from local government and higher authorities, including environmental improvements around the trees, which have further enhanced its fame. Visitors come here to admire the scenery year-round. During the local Buyi Zhongyuan Festival (Ghost Festival), villagers hold the “Zhongyuan Fragrant Flower Festival” and “Gangduhua” (Flower Song Festival) under the tree. Young men and women gather to sing folk songs, express their feelings, and seek mutual understanding through the festival’s rituals. They may also divine the reasons behind the loss or death of loved ones. It is said, “Divine land bears divine trees.” According to surveys, there are 108 ancient trees over a thousand years old, including 12 with diameters under 2 meters, six between 2–3 meters, and over 100 with diameters of 1 meter. Naturally arranged on both sides of the 4.6-meter-diameter “Tree King,” they seem to guard it, forming a “comb-shaped” ancient tree group. Having witnessed the vicissitudes of time, this is a prime scenic spot for tourism and sightseeing.

The Legend of the Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo

Opposite the Tangbang Ancient Tree Group scenic area, in Xiadwawan Village, stand two thousand-year-old ginkgo trees. According to village elders, these ginkgos are the village’s sacred trees, symbolizing its age and the bond between the two founding families—one in the south and one in the north, 1,000 meters apart. They represent the love and harmony between the two surnames and kinships. Despite enduring a thousand years of wind and frost, the trees remain lush and vibrant. In spring, their broad canopies shade the ground like an umbrella reaching the sky. At their bases, it takes six people holding hands to encircle the trunks. Their diameters are roughly 3 meters, and heights exceed 50 meters. Both are male trees, as it is believed only male ginkgos can protect the village enduringly, ensuring peace and safety—immune to lightning strikes or ice damage. Beside each ginkgo stands a companion ancient tree—a camphor tree—referred to as the “old spouse,” forming a fragrant and beautiful pair. Such rare and precious trees are often planted near temples, courtyards, and villages. Towering and elegant, they are also called “sacred trees,” “divine trees,” or “village guardian trees.” The renowned Chinese writer Guo Moruo once poetically praised the ginkgo as the embodiment of truth, goodness, and beauty—the “national tree.”

Ginkgo trees belong to the Ginkgoaceae family and are deciduous trees with fan-shaped leaves. Their beautiful form makes them popular ornamental plants. In spring, their tender green leaves and new buds radiate vitality. In summer, the young fruits hanging among the leaves are as lovely as jade. In autumn, the abundant ripe fruits shine brightly, bringing joy of harvest. In winter, when all else withers, the ancient ginkgos remain tall and proud, defying the cold winds and inspiring hope. Throughout the seasons, the ginkgo’s charm is deeply felt.

With the expansion of tourism, regions everywhere are developing their unique cultures and attractions, hoping to offer beautiful environments and scenery. Therefore, the Shilong Ancient Tree Group welcomes you, the Tangbang Golden Nanmu waves its branches in greeting, and the Tangbang Ginkgo, ancient trees, and camphor trees bless you with peace and fragrance. For sightseeing, come to Shilong, go to Tangbang—that’s the people’s viewing platform, the land of birdsong.

Transportation: Duyun City – Duyun South Bus Station – Pinglang Town – Kai Kou Community – Shilong Community Old Township Government – Jiarang Village.

Ticket: No admission fee.