Taishan Mountain's ancient trees: Living monuments of culture, nature

Taishan Mountain is home to 17,599 ancient trees, each one over a century old, with 1,892 exceeding 300 years. Often affectionately referred to as "green cultural relics" and "living history", these ancient trees connect us to our past and represent the enduring strength of cultural heritage today. Tai'an has long prioritized their protection, revitalization, and interpretation, ensuring these ancient trees remain vital symbols of the mountain's cultural and ecological legacy.

Among the most treasured are six ancient cypresses in Daimiao Temple, which were included in China's first national protection list for ancient trees at heritage sites in September 2025. Having stood for over 2,100 years, they still produce new seeds and leaves.

In 1987, a UNESCO expert praised Taishan Mountain's ancient trees as "precious natural heritage, living cultural relics with high scientific and artistic value". 

In recent years, the Taishan Mountain Scenic Area has launched a germplasm resource bank and a seedling cultivation program, establishing four nurseries and collecting seeds from over 100 ancient trees. More than 1,800 seedlings have been successfully cultivated, including descendants of the famed Han Cypress.

Today, Taishan Mountain boasts a forest coverage rate of 94.8 percent and vegetation cover of 95.6 percent. Over 3,000 insect species and 378 wild bird species now thrive here.

Tai'an has been recognized as a National Forest City, National Historical and Cultural City, and National Civilized City — a testament to the harmony between cultural heritage and ecological vitality.

Nurtured by careful conservation, Taishan Mountain's ancient trees are living links between history and the future, offering shelter to diverse species and inspiration to all who visit. [Photo/WeChat account: china-taishan]