The Millennium Ginkgo Tree of Luyi

　　Legend has it that this tree was planted by Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu, and it remains lush and vibrant to this day. The tree stands 50 meters tall, with a circumference of 9.5 meters, casting a shadow over an area of 60 square meters. It takes five adults holding hands to encircle its trunk. This ancient tree is renowned across eastern Henan and northern Anhui, truly earning the title of "King of Trees."

　　The White Fruit Tree is actually called the Ginkgo Tree, belonging to the Ginkgoaceae family and classified as a deciduous tall tree. Due to its remarkable longevity, people also call it the "Generational Tree," and it is often referred to as a "living fossil." All parts of the ginkgo tree are highly valuable, drawing significant attention from scientists. Its leaves and fruits can be made into premium health supplements, effective in treating stubborn illnesses such as arteriosclerosis, brain dysfunction, and intellectual decline.

　　Why was a ginkgo tree planted on the banks of the Huiji River in Waobei Town? According to historical records and local legends, in the second year after Wang Mang seized power from the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Xiu led his soldiers in battle against Wang Mang’s forces at Jiyang (now northeast of Lankao in Henan). Outnumbered, they were defeated and driven by Wang Mang’s army to Lailing (during Wang Mang's reign, Ku County was renamed Lailing — now Luyi County, which was then part of Chen State in Yuzhou). Just as Liu Xiu was trapped in a hopeless situation, suddenly the sky darkened, fierce winds and heavy rain followed, and visibility dropped to near zero. Soon after, the storm passed and the skies cleared. Amid the darkness, an elderly man appeared, leading Liu Xiu and his scattered troops to a small village (now the location of the ginkgo tree by the Huiji River) to take shelter. Thinking Liu Xiu’s forces had retreated, Wang Mang’s army left. Still wary of Wang Mang’s troops, Liu Xiu felt the area was not safe for long-term stay, so he changed direction, passed through Chen State (Huaiyang), and went to Nandun County (now Nandun Town in Xiangcheng City), where he found refuge with his uncle, who was the local magistrate.

　　In the late Western Han Dynasty, Chen State’s Huaiyang King Liu Xuan defeated Wang Mang in 23 AD, ending Wang Mang’s 17-year usurpation. Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu ascended the throne in 25 AD, marking the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty. After becoming emperor, Liu Xiu never forgot the place where he was once saved, so he personally planted a blessed white fruit tree as a gesture of gratitude.

　　Even after more than two thousand years of wind and rain, the white fruit tree remains full of vitality. As the hometown of Laozi, the origin of Taoism, the ancestral home of Taoist teachings, and the root of the Li surname, this millennium-old tree has now become a renowned tourist attraction in Luyi. Beside this ancient tree, locals raised funds to rebuild the Temple of the Yellow Emperor, which enjoys thriving incense offerings.

　　Source: Luyi County People's Government Website