Tree-Enveloped Pagoda, Pagoda-Enveloped Tree

Tree-Enveloped Pagoda, Pagoda-Enveloped Tree

The Tree-Enveloped Pagoda and Pagoda-Enveloped Tree is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located inside the Guanmian Temple in Dazhai, Jinggu County. The Tree-Enveloped Pagoda is on the east side of the temple. It is a gourd-shaped sandstone relief pagoda that is square at the base and round at the top. The base of the pagoda is over four meters square, and the pagoda itself is more than ten meters tall. A large banyan tree, more than two meters in circumference, grows right in the center at the top of the pagoda. Its canopy spreads out like a giant umbrella reaching to the sky, standing upright within the pagoda, while numerous thick tree roots outside the pagoda tightly embrace the stone pagoda. The tree and pagoda blend seamlessly together, creating a wonderfully harmonious sight.

The Pagoda-Enveloped Tree is on the west side of the temple. It is also a gourd-shaped sandstone relief pagoda that is square at the base and round at the top. A banyan tree, about one meter in circumference, grows from the center of the pagoda. Since the tree is not very old, its shade only covers an area of about ten meters in diameter. The majestic and sturdy white pagoda wraps around the large banyan tree tightly in the center from all sides. A clear spring murmurs beside the pagoda, accompanied by the resonant chanting of monks, giving people a sense of timelessness and serenity.

Both pagodas were built in 1644. Due to the humid climate of Jinggu, birds carried banyan seeds into the cracks of the bricks in the pagodas. Over time, the seeds took root, sprouted, and grew through the stones. After hundreds of years, they have become the marvelous sight seen today.