The Green Great Wall of the Shu Road: Cuiyun Corridor and the Millennium Cypresses

The "Green Great Wall" of the Ancient Shu Road

1.Located in Jiange: County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, the Cuiyun Corridor (Cuiyunlang) is a natural and historical wonder that stretches across the landscape like a green dragon. As a core component of the Jianmen Shu Road Scenic Area (a National 5A Tourist Attraction), it is renowned as the "World's Longest Ancient Cypress Corridor" and a "Living Fossil of the Shu Road." The corridor consists of a section of the ancient flagstone road lined with over 30,000 ancient cypress trees. These trees, with an average age of over 1,000 years and the oldest dating back more than 2,000 years, form a majestic canopy that has shaded travelers, armies, and poets for centuries. Walking beneath this emerald tunnel, one can feel the heavy breath of history and the serene power of nature, earning it the reputation of being the "Green Great Wall" of China,.

A Legacy of Plantings Across Dynasties

2.The history of the Cuiyun: Corridor is a testament to continuous ecological protection spanning over two millennia. The tradition of planting cypresses along the Shu Road began in the Qin Dynasty, initiated by the great engineer Li Bing (who also built the Dujiangyan Irrigation System) to mark the road and prevent soil erosion. This practice was significantly expanded during the Three Kingdoms period. Legend has it that Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han, ordered the planting of trees to provide shade for his marching armies and to mark the route for grain transport during his Northern Expeditions. Consequently, these trees are often affectionately called "Zhang Fei Cypresses" (after the Shu general) or "Imperial Cypresses" ("Huangbai"). The planting continued through the Jin, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with the Ming Dynasty's Shu King Zhu Chun overseeing a major restoration. Today, it stands as the largest and best-preserved artificial ancient cypress forest in the world,.

The "Living Fossils" and Artistic Shapes

3.The cypresses of Cuiyun: Corridor are not merely plants; they are living sculptures shaped by time and elements. Some trees are so massive that it takes several people to wrap their arms around the trunk. They have developed unique and bizarre shapes over the centuries, with names evocative of their forms, such as the "Mandarin Duck Cypress" (symbolizing eternal love), the "Arhat Cypress," and the "Sword Cypress." Their gnarled roots and twisting branches resemble dragons and phoenixes dancing in the sky. The forest is also a treasure trove of literature, with numerous stone steles and cliffside inscriptions left by famous poets like Li Bai and Lu You, who traveled this road and marveled at its difficulty and beauty. The interplay of the ancient grey stones of the path and the vibrant green of the cypresses creates a scene of profound poetic beauty,.

An Ecological and Cultural Sanctuary

Beyond its historical significance, Cuiyun Corridor is a "natural oxygen bar" with extremely high negative ion content, making it a perfect destination for health and relaxation. The site seamlessly blends the ruggedness of the Shu Road—famously described by Li Bai as "harder than climbing to heaven"—with the tranquility of a lush forest. Visitors can wander along the ancient post road, tracing the footsteps of merchants and soldiers, or explore the Cuiyun Corridor Museum to learn about the history of the road's construction and protection. The scenic area is beautiful year-round: in spring, the trees flush with new green; in summer, they offer a cool retreat; in autumn, the evergreen cypresses contrast with the changing colors of the surrounding deciduous woods; and in winter, they stand resilient against the frost. It is a place where human engineering and nature have coexisted in harmony for thousands of years,.