A Single Tree Forms a Forest in Mangling

　　The "Single Tree Forms a Forest" is a giant banyan tree located in Mangling, Ruili City. With its ancient, twisting branches and over a hundred aerial roots that reach the ground, this solitary tree forms a forest-like canopy—truly a spectacular sight. It lies right next to National Highway 320, and its outstretched graceful branches seem to welcome visitors from afar, which is why locals in Ruili call it the "Guest-Greeting Banyan." This tree has a unique shape and ever-changing posture, making it a favorite among many film and television professionals. More than ten films and TV dramas, including Frontier Village on Fire, Princess Peacock, and Journey to the West, have filmed exterior scenes here. Next to the Guest-Greeting Banyan stands an eye-catching sculpture of a traditional Dai musical instrument—the hulusi (gourd flute)—which can play Ruili’s city anthem, "There Is a Beautiful Place." It is a popular spot for visitors to pause and enjoy the scenery.

　　The "Single Tree Forms a Forest" is a national AA-level scenic area. Located in Mangling Village, Ruili City, it is 15 kilometers from downtown Ruili. The main attraction of the scenic area is a giant banyan tree, with its ancient, twisting branches and over a hundred aerial roots that reach the ground, forming a forest-like canopy—truly a spectacular sight. It lies right next to National Highway 320, and its outstretched graceful branches seem to welcome visitors from afar, which is why locals in Ruili call it the "Guest-Greeting Banyan." This tree has a unique shape and ever-changing posture, making it a favorite among many filmmakers. More than ten films and TV dramas, including Frontier Village on Fire, Princess Peacock, and Journey to the West, have filmed exterior scenes here.

　　The "Single Tree Forms a Forest" is actually just one large banyan tree. Its main trunk spreads outward, and aerial roots grow from its branches. These roots then take root in the ground, grow into thick trunks, and extend even further, eventually forming this entire grove of banyan trees—an astonishing natural wonder known as a single tree forming a forest. According to research, this giant banyan tree is over a hundred years old. Its main trunk requires seven or eight people to encircle with their arms. It is lush and green all year round, with well-developed aerial roots covering an area of more than four acres, making it a representative landscape of Dehong’s subtropical scenery.