The Flying Pine of Mohe

　　    About 200 meters north along the side of the road, 10 kilometers from the Arctic Village, stands a majestic Siberian red pine. It is tall and dignified, with a dark hue, a naturally well-formed crown, and evenly spaced branches. Upright and proud, it stands alone as if it were the only one of its kind.

　　    There are various theories about the origin of this pine tree. Some say it grew naturally from seeds accidentally dropped by Oroqen hunters; others claim it was planted as part of a research project by the Forestry Science Institute of the Yaksha Forestry Management Bureau; some believe it was excreted by migratory birds; others suggest it was washed over from Russia during the great flood of the Heilongjiang River in 1958; and still others think it’s part of the island-like distribution of Siberian red pines. Opinions differ and no single explanation prevails.

　　    But no matter what the truth may be, this solitary tree in the forest—strong-trunked, gracefully shaped, and lushly green—is truly a unique and outstanding “visitor from afar” in the vast Greater Khingan Mountains. The people of Mohe have given it a beautiful name: the “Flying Pine.”

　　    Beautiful as the name is, and magical as the tale may sound, we prefer to believe it is the result of a legendary story among Mohe’s gold miners.