Nature is replete with mysterious and magical occurrences. As another species that roams Mother Earth, we have encountered numerous oddities such as goats having rectangular pupils that provide them with greater vision than humans, beautiful swans with the strength and ability to break a man’s arm, fragile tarantulas that will shatter if dropped with sufficient velocity and the Telegraph Plant that is capable of shaking on its own accord. It is as if nature is continuously reminding us, in small but profound ways, of its ability, skill, and strength. The One-Tree Forest bordering the Da Luo River in Xishuangbanna thus appears to be yet another mysterious yet marvellous occurrence that puzzles mankind but beautifies surroundings immeasurably.
Located close to the boundary between China and Myanmar, the one-tree forest is composed of a large banyan tree which towers over the area at a stunning height of twenty eight years and an even more awe-inspiring history of nearly one thousand years. This gigantic specimen covers over one hundred and twenty square meters and stuns any person who sets their sight upon it.
As the tree grew, aerial roots formed and sprouted from the bark of the banyan tree and as it grew stronger, gravity pulled them down towards the ground. Thus, the bark is surrounded by aerial roots, thirty-two to be exact, that spiral down towards the earth which also creates a sort of barrier around the bark itself. Thus, for those visiting Xishuangbanna, a visit to see this nine-hundred-year-old banyan tree is a must and is an attraction that should be featured on their itinerary.
For those residing in a hotel Yunnan, a trip to the single tree forest in Xishuangbanna can be arranged with ease because the forest is considered a landmark attraction in the region given its uniqueness. Often, tourists who are revisiting the area and are staying at a hotel in Yunnan such as the luxurious Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa, opt to revisit the single tree forest as well for its awe-inspiring nature never seems to dwindle. This natural oddity is simply one of the many natural mysteries that often remind us of how powerful and mystifying nature truly is.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.
