Big Banyan Tree

» Yangshuo, Guang Xi

Big Banyan Tree Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The prominent Big Banyan Tree stands 7.5km south of Yangshuo County and has survived wind and rain over centuries since it was planted during the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618). As a major tourist attraction, the enormous Banyan is famous for its age and towering beauty. It is also noted because the Chinese film "The Liu Sanjie" was partly shot here. The beautiful love story adds to the magic of this centuries-old tree.

How big is the Banyan Tree?

The Big Banyan Tree is now 17 meters (about 55.8 feet) high, 7.1 meters (about 23 feet) around the trunk, and spans an area of 1000 square meters.

How charming is the time-honored Banyan?

The immortal beauty of the huge Banyan

When you look closely you will see that it has beautifully twisted roots and gnarled branches with a primitive simplicity. Its crown is round with an exuberant growth of branches and leaves. There is a huge branch stretching out straight beginning at 1 meter above the ground. Enduring wind and rain for thousands of years, it is surprising that this branch has not been harmed. Although its stem is very old and its roots twist, its branches and leaves stretch out so lushly that the sunshine hardly penetrates its shadow. Sitting in its shadow on even the hottest day of the summer, you barely break out in a sweat.

The touching love story

A moving legend of the Zhuang people adds charm to the famous tree. In her teens, Liu Sanjie was regarded as the top singer of folk songs - songs in an antiphonal style, typical of the ethnic people in South China. It is under the Big Banyan Tree that the Liu Sanjie declared her admiration to her lover Brother A'niu. The beautiful love story is highly praised in the film "The Liu Sanjie." The scene in which Liu Sanjie threw a ball made of rolled colored silk to Brother A'niu as a sign of love is taken here. That's why lovers and tourists, filled with admiration, will take pictures of each other in front of this old tree.

The charming neighboring scenery

The scenery around the Big Banyan Tree is intoxicating. Near the entrance, there is a large patch of lotus flowers, and all around the entire area are lofty mountain peaks and limpid lakes.

• Rongyin Gudu
  The ancient Big Banyan Tree lies on the western bank of the Jinbao River. There is an ancient ferry crossing under the tree, called "Rongyin Gudu." Across the river, there are rocks of varying sizes, fascinating mountains and wonderful caves, setting each other off and forming a pleasing contrast.
• The Moon Hill
  To the south of the Big Banyan Tree stands Moon Hill. A village under the hill offers you a chance to experience true village life free from metropolitan stresses and troubles. Under a mysterious layer of haze you will find tranquil scenery comprised of leveled rice terraces, crystal brooks. Surrounded by fascinating peaks, green bamboo, footpaths crisscrossing fabric-like between the fields, along with the local conditions and customs of a mountain village, this area is a virtual paradise for exploring.

Taking photos with lovely monkeys

One of exciting parts of the scenic area is taking photos with monkeys. Nearby, there is a little photo stand where you have chances to take photos with lovely monkeys at your own expends. These monkeys are dressed like Sun Wu Kong, also known as Monkey King - one of the main characters in Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literatures.

Attractions around » Yangshuo, Guang Xi

Natural Scene

• Moon Hill
• Schoolboy Hill
• Green Lotus Peak

Historical Site

• Xingping Town

Cultural Site

• Moon Hill
• Schoolboy Hill
• Big Banyan Tree

Shopping & Leisure

• West Street

Big Banyan Tree Highlights

Garden & Park in Great China

• Nanwan Monkey Island
• Summer Palace
• Norbulingka Park
• Tiger Hill
• Yuantouzhu
• Humble Administrator's Garden
• Mt. Lushan
• West Hill
• Diecai Hill
• Fubo Hill
• Elephant Trunk Hill
• Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
• Yuexiu Park
• Liuyuan Garden
• Jinshan Temple
• Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden
• Stone Bell Hill
• Tianyi Pavilion
• Eling Park
• Long Island
• Window of the World
• Splendid China
• Seven Star Park
• Yuelu Academy
• Moon Hill
• Luhuitou Park
• Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
• Beijing Zoo
• Fragrant Hill
• Duxiu Peak
• Jinshitan Scenic Area
• Dragon Pavilion
• Schoolboy Hill
• Chongqing Zoo
• Wangjiang Park
• Wenshuyuan
• Beihai Park
• Old Summer Palace
• Siberia Tiger Park
• Turtle Garden
• Pagoda Hill
• Yueyang Tower
• Village of Ethnic Culture
• Mural Hill
• Snail Hill
• Yuquan Park
• Liyuan Garden
• Panmen Gate
• Shizilin Garden
• Yuyuan Garden
• Big Banyan Tree
• Grand View Tower
• Xinghai Park
• Merryland World
• Master-of-Nets Garden
• Heyuan Garden
• Geyuan Garden
• Laodong Park
• Grand View Garden
• Shenyang Forest Wild Zoo
• Botanical Garden
• Drum Hill
• White Pagoda Mountain Park
• Five Spring Park
• Waterwheel Park
• Guiyang Forest Park
• Sun Island Park
• Zhaolin Park
• Wenfeng Park
• Hangzhou Botanical Garden
• Guyi Garden
• Green Lake Park
• Canglang Pavilion
• Chakpori Hill
• Water Park
• Jade Buddha Park
• Orchid Pavilion
• Children's Park
• Jade Emperor Pavilion
• Qianling Park

Big Banyan Tree FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How is the climate of Guilin?
2. What is the best time to visit Guilin?

  Food

1. What should I pay special attention to in term of food and drink in Guilin?
2. Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?
3. What tour meals will be supplied?

  Shopping

1. Need I catch any cash?

  Travel

1. May I know more about Li River cruise?
2. What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?
3. Will the shift between different scenic spots take a lot of time?

  Customs

1. Is there any taboo I need to pay attention to during my trip?

  Other Hints

1. What should be prepared about my apparel during the sightseeing of Guilin's mountains scenery?

• What is the best time to visit Guilin?

  Generally speaking, the best time to visit Guilin is between April and October, when Guilin exhibits her immortal beauty.

- Top -



• How is the climate of Guilin?

  Guilin has a subtropical monsoon climate. The most important thing to know about Guilin (and Yangshuo) weather is that it can get very hot, humid, and it rains a lot! The rainy season begins from April in Guilin City, so please carry rain gear with you. The average temperature for the year is 19.3 centigrade with a July average temperature of 28.3 degrees. The average rainfall for the year is 192.6 cm per month.

- Top -



• What should I pay special attention to in term of food and drink in Guilin?

  The local field snails are tasty and renowned. However, this snack fails to agree with everyone. Additionally, Malatang or chuanchuanxiang (a kind of spicy hot snack, somewhat like hot pot) is delicious but it should be avoided by tourists suffering intestinal tract disease.

- Top -



• Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?

  Can I find western food in Guilin and Yangshuo?

- Top -



• What tour meals will be supplied?

  Sour and spicy food dominates the tour meals provided by us and the rice serves as the main food. If you want to make some special requests, please make it clear beforehand.

- Top -



• Need I catch any cash?

  Yes. Sometimes you had better catch some cash because you can not get cash from your account through your bank card somewhere. You can ask help from the guides of our agency.

- Top -



• May I know more about Li River cruise?

  The low water period of Li River occurs from December to February of the year ensuing. During this period the Li River cruise usually starts from Yangdi to Xingping or begins with Yangdi to Dashuang and then return Yangdi.

- Top -



• What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?

  The county-level scenic areas such as Yangshuo, Longsheng and Sanjiang are different from the Guilin City in term of the lodging places. The hotel accommodation is relative moist and is in a small scale, but the rooms are neatly.

- Top -



• Will the shift between different scenic spots take a lot of time?

  These scenic spots of Guilin are relatively near to another one, so you need not waste much time on the way and your sightseeing is leisurely. If you pay a visit to Yangshuo, Longsheng or Sanjiang area, it will take you more time on the way. However, you can feat your eye on the charming scenery.

- Top -



• Is there any taboo I need to pay attention to during my trip?

  The guides will inform you of the customs of ethnic groups inhabited in those scenic areas. Please respect the life and belief of the local people and avoid any conflict with them.

- Top -



• What about the lodging in county-level scenic areas around Guilin City?

  The county-level scenic areas such as Yangshuo, Longsheng and Sanjiang are different from the Guilin City in term of the lodging places. The hotel accommodation is relative moist and is in a small scale, but the rooms are neatly.

- Top -



• What should be prepared about my apparel during the sightseeing of the Guilin's mountains scenery?

  When visiting in Longsheng you may experience a mountain climbing. It is suggested that you choose a pair of suitable and comfortable and skidproof shoes. Moreover, you should climb according to your strength.

- Top -