The Tree-Enveloping Pagoda and Pagoda-Enveloping Tree in Mangshi

The Tree-Enveloping Pagoda and Pagoda-Enveloping Tree in Mangshi

The Tree-Enveloping Pagoda and Pagoda-Enveloping Tree in Mangshi is a cultural tourism attraction.

People often talk about vines entwining trees, but have you ever heard of a tree embracing a pagoda? Yet in Mangshi, there exists an incredible natural wonder where a tree and a pagoda are intertwined.

This magical and unique Tree-Enveloping Pagoda features a pagoda body that resembles a standing Vajra, majestic and imposing, while a towering bodhi tree stands like a giant open umbrella sheltering the top of the pagoda. The sturdy tree crown stretches skyward like arms, its bronze-colored trunk curving stubbornly and tightly wrapping around the pagoda. The tree bark cascades like a waterfall, bathing the pagoda base. The tree envelops the pagoda, and the pagoda cradles the tree — they depend on each other and complement one another, creating a unique spectacle of the Tree-Enveloping Pagoda that is famous across western Yunnan and Southeast Asia.

Once, one of Sakyamuni’s disciples asked the Buddha, “How can we truly express our devotion to you?” After a moment of contemplation, the Buddha laid his square robe flat on the ground, turned his alms bowl upside down on the robe, and placed his walking staff atop the bowl. His disciples were suddenly enlightened. Thus, the square robe became the square base of the pagoda, the round bowl became the pagoda body, and the staff became the spire (finial) of the pagoda. And so, the Tree-Enveloping Pagoda was formed.

According to Dai historical records, in the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, or 1778 AD, foreign invaders attacked China, and the border people rose up in resistance, driving the invaders away. The 17th Tusi (local chieftain) of Mangshi, Fang Yuzhu, built this pagoda to commemorate a victorious battle — it has been over 200 years since then. In the Dai language, this pagoda is called “Guangmu Jielie,” meaning the Iron City Pagoda. Made of brick and stone, the pagoda is about ten meters tall, octagonal in shape, with Buddha statues enshrined inside its niches. Today, the tree growing atop the pagoda has reached a height of over 30 meters, with a canopy covering nearly 1,000 square meters.

How did this wonder come into being? Over time, cracks appeared in the brick pagoda, gradually accumulating dust carried by the wind. A banyan seed was brought by the wind or a bird into one of the crevices. When the spring rain fell, the seed took root and sprouted — this stage is what we call the pagoda enveloping the tree. As the banyan tree slowly grew, the pagoda remained unchanged, until eventually the ancient pagoda was gradually embraced by the banyan tree, forming the spectacular sight of the Tree-Enveloping Pagoda.

The pagoda embraces the tree, and the tree embraces the pagoda, forming a solid entity. The pagoda is the tree, and the tree is the pagoda. Friends, come take a look here — can you tell whether it’s the pagoda embracing the tree or the tree embracing the pagoda?

Address: Bopo Road, Mangshi, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Admission: 5 RMB

Transportation: Take a taxi to get there.

Time Needed: 1 hour