Thousand-Year-Old Walnut Tree Scenic Area: An ancient tree and folk culture sanctuary in the suburbs of Nyingchi.
In Gongzhong Village, Bayi Town, Nyingchi City, nestled along the Niyang River beside National Highway 318, lies a hidden gem that combines ancient trees and folk customs – the Millennium Walnut King Scenic Area. Located at an altitude of 2900 meters, just 1.5 kilometers from Nyingchi city center, this area, centered around a 1600-year-old "Walnut King" tree, has been awarded a national 3A-level scenic area rating and is an excellent place to experience the plateau ecosystem and the warmth of the Gongbu Tibetan people.
The soul of the scenic area is the awe-inspiring "Millennium Walnut King." This wild walnut tree, with its lush foliage and a trunk requiring several people to encircle, has thrived for over 1600 years, bearing abundant fruit year after year. The forest also hides a unique "tree within a tree" wonder: a 900-year-old wild peach tree with intertwined vines growing within it, a symbiotic spectacle that is a true miracle of nature. Within the 40-acre area, over a hundred wild walnut trees provide ample shade, the air is rich in negative ions, and the scent of plants permeates the atmosphere, making it a veritable "plateau oxygen bar."
Ecology and culture are perfectly integrated here. The scenic area is surrounded by mountains and water, with the Wangdu Sacred Mountain standing behind it and the Niyang River flowing nearby. Amidst the mountains and rivers, Tibetan-style houses and Lhoba bamboo houses are scattered, with banana leaves on the roofs complementing the green canopy of the ancient trees. As the "First Village of Tibetan Folk Customs," it brings together the cultural essence of the Gongbu Tibetan and Lhoba people. In the folk performance hall, villagers in gorgeous costumes perform lively dances, and melodious songs convey their love of life.
Immersive folk experiences are the core charm of the scenic area. Visitors can enter Gongbu Tibetan houses and Lhoba family homes, learn weaving techniques, sample local delicacies such as roasted Tibetan pork and butter tea, and experience authentic Tibetan life. During Tibetan festivals, visitors can also participate in traditional celebrations and folk activities such as archery competitions, getting a close-up look at the wisdom of the plateau people. The viewing platform within the scenic area offers a panoramic view, overlooking the entire town of Bayi and the Niyang River landscape, with mountains, rivers, and forests all within sight.
As a well-established scenic area opened to the public in 2006, it boasts complete facilities while retaining its rustic charm. Wooden walkways wind through the walnut groves, allowing visitors to admire the ancient trees and their gnarled branches up close; leisure areas and specialty dining areas cater to relaxation needs, making the journey more enjoyable. In spring, the new leaves of the ancient trees complement the surrounding peach blossoms; in autumn, the branches are laden with plump walnuts, filling the air with their fragrance. There are beautiful sights to behold in every season.
This hidden gem, located on the outskirts of Nyingchi, is free from the hustle and bustle of crowds, offering only the ancient wisdom of thousand-year-old trees, the tranquility of the Niyang River, and the vibrant life of diverse folk customs. Using ancient trees as its medium and culture as its soul, it speaks of the wisdom of harmonious coexistence between man and nature under the warm plateau sun, allowing every visitor to be captivated by this tranquility and warmth that transcends millennia.