The Living Fossil of the Plateau: Encountering the 3,200-Year-Old Spirit at King Cypress Park

A Sanctuary of Time in Nyingchi

Nestled in the embrace of the mountains in southeastern Tibet, specifically in the Bayi District of Nyingchi City, lies a silent sanctuary that transcends history: the King Cypress Park (Baishu Wang Yuanlin). Located just about 8 kilometers southeast of Bayi Town, this park sits at an altitude of 3,000 meters along the banks of the Niyang River. It is not just a forest; it is a living museum of nature, home to a grove of ancient Himalayan cypresses that have stood witness to the rise and fall of civilizations for millennia. Among them stands the legendary "King Cypress," a tree so immense and old that it has become a spiritual totem for the local people and a marvel for visitors from around the world.

The 3,200-Year-Old "King of Cypresses"

The undisputed soul of the park is the King Cypress tree itself. Standing approximately 50 meters tall with a diameter of 5.8 meters, this colossus requires multiple adults linking arms to encircle its trunk. Scientific studies estimate its age at over 3,200 years, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China. It is celebrated as the oldest and largest known cypress of its kind in China and possibly the world, often referred to as a "Living Fossil" of the Tibetan Plateau. Its gnarled roots and towering canopy, resembling a massive dark green umbrella, exude a sense of ancient power and vitality that commands instant respect from all who stand in its shadow,.

A Sacred Totem of the Bon Religion

Culturally, the King Cypress Park is deeply intertwined with the indigenous Bon religion of Tibet. In the Bon worldview, ancient trees are seen as bridges between heaven and earth, often inhabited by deities. The King Cypress is revered as a "God Tree" or the "Life-Support Tree" of the world. Local legends abound regarding its origins; some say it grew from the staff of the Bon founder, Tonpa Shenrab, while others believe it is the "Soul Tree" of the ancient Gongbo King, protecting the land and its people. Visitors will often see the tree adorned with white Khata scarves and colorful prayer flags, and local Tibetans circumambulating the tree, chanting scriptures and burning mulberry branches as offerings, creating a profound spiritual atmosphere.

The Sea of Ancient Cypresses

1.Surrounding the King: Cypress is a dense forest of hundreds of other ancient cypresses, forming a "Sea of Cypresses" covering an area of about 20 hectares. Walking along the wooden boardwalks that wind through the forest feels like stepping into a green time tunnel. The sunlight filters through the dense needle leaves, creating dappled patterns on the mossy ground. The trees here, some straight as arrows and others twisted into fantastical shapes, create a serene and majestic landscape. It is an ecological treasure trove, offering a rare glimpse into the primeval forests that once covered much of this region.

A Panoramic View of the Niyang River

The park is not only about the trees; it also offers stunning vistas. From the viewing platforms within the park, visitors can gaze out over the Niyang River valley. The emerald waters of the river wind through the landscape, framed by distant green mountains and the idyllic Tibetan villages scattered along the banks. This combination of the ancient forest in the foreground and the pastoral river valley in the background presents a quintessential image of the "Highland Aesthetics" unique to the Nyingchi region.