Every autumn, the foothills of China's Zhongnan Mountains undergo a spectacular transformation. A huge ginkgo tree at the ancient Gu Guanyin Temple turns brilliant yellow, covering the temple courtyard with a carpet of golden leaves. The tree is over 1,400 years old and one of the most photographed ancient trees in China. Located in Chang'an District, south of Xi'an, the ginkgo stands inside the grounds of the Ancient Guanyin Buddhist Temple, where its autumn display attracts thousands of visitors.
 |
| The ancient ginkgo tree turns brilliant golden yellow in autumn. |
What makes the scene especially memorable is its simplicity. There is one enormous tree, an old temple courtyard, and thousands of fallen leaves. For a few weeks each year, the entire setting seems to glow.
Where Is the 1,400-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree?
The famous ginkgo grows at Gu Guanyin Buddhist Temple (Ancient Guanyin Temple) in the foothills of the Zhongnan Mountains, in Xi'an's Chang'an District, Shaanxi Province. The temple is located about 30 kilometres south of central Xi'an. Its location among the mountains provides the tree with a peaceful setting away from the busy city. The area is part of the wider Zhongnan Mountain landscape, a region long associated with Buddhism, Taoism, temples and mountain retreats.
An Ancient Tree in an Ancient Temple
The temple itself has a long history dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The ginkgo is traditionally associated with the same period. According to local tradition, the tree was planted by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, during the seventh century. Modern descriptions generally present this as a tradition or legend rather than an independently proven historical fact. That distinction is worth making because the tree's age and presence are much more firmly documented than the claim that the emperor personally planted it.
 |
| The enormous ginkgo creates a spectacular golden scene at the temple. |
Why Does the Ginkgo Tree Turn Golden?
Ginkgo trees are renowned for their distinctive fan-shaped leaves and their spectacular autumn colours. During the warmer months, the Gu Guanyin tree is green like any other healthy ginkgo. In the autumn, when the temperature drops, its leaves turn from green to a bright yellow. Then comes the moment that photographers have been waiting for. The leaves begin to fall, spreading across the temple courtyard beneath the enormous canopy. From a distance, the tree appears to stand in the middle of a golden carpet.
A Short-Lived Golden Season
The most spectacular display does not last forever. Local tourism information says the tree generally reaches its autumn peak around late October and November, although the exact timing varies with weather conditions. A cold spell or strong wind can cause large numbers of leaves to fall quickly. This means that visitors hoping to see the courtyard completely covered in yellow have a relatively short window. That fleeting quality is part of what makes the tree so fascinating.
 |
| Autumn transforms the ancient tree into a vivid golden landmark. |
The Tree Has Become an Internet Sensation
The Gu Guanyin ginkgo was not always an international photographic sensation. Its popularity exploded after photographs of the tree's autumn colours began circulating online. In 2017, China.org.cn reported that tens of thousands of people were visiting the temple to see the tree, with some visitors waiting for hours during busy periods. The aerial photographs are particularly striking. Seen from above, the tree's golden crown contrasts sharply with the surrounding temple buildings and mountain landscape. Every autumn, new photographs of the tree appear across Chinese social media and travel websites.
From Local Tree to Famous Landmark
The tree has effectively become a seasonal symbol of Xi'an's surrounding countryside. A 2025 report from the South China Morning Post, discussing research on ancient trees preserved at Chinese temples, again highlighted the Guanyin Temple ginkgo as a tree with a history spanning more than 1,400 years. Its fame also illustrates something particularly striking about ancient trees: sometimes a living landmark can become more recognisable than the buildings around it.
 |
| Fallen ginkgo leaves create a golden carpet beneath the ancient tree. |
Why Ginkgo Trees Are So Special
The species growing at Gu Guanyin Temple is Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is often described as a “living fossil” because its lineage reaches extraordinarily far back in geological history. The species has survived major environmental changes and has been cultivated in China for centuries. The tree's fan-shaped leaves are unlike those of most other trees, and its brilliant yellow autumn colour makes mature ginkgo trees especially popular in temple grounds, parks and historic sites.
A Living Link to China's Past
Standing beneath a tree that has potentially survived for more than fourteen centuries changes the way you think about history. Dynasties rose and disappeared. Cities expanded. Roads changed. Modern Xi'an has developed into a major metropolis.
Yet this tree continued growing.
Whether or not historians can prove the traditional story about Emperor Taizong planting it, the ginkgo itself represents an extraordinary connection with China's distant past.
 |
| Ginkgo leaves are renowned for their distinctive fan-shaped form. |
Ancient Trees and Chinese Temples
The Gu Guanyin ginkgo is also part of a broader story. In 2025, a scientific study discovered surprisingly high numbers of ancient trees in Buddhist and Taoist temples across China. The researchers believe temples have served as important refuges for old trees during long periods of human development. Thus, the Guanyin tree setting is especially appropriate. The temple grounds have provided a protected environment where the ancient ginkgo could survive for centuries.
When Is the Best Time to See the Tree?
For the famous golden display, late October through November is generally the most spectacular period. Xi'an's official government website reported that the Gu Guanyin ginkgo enters its best viewing period when its leaves turn a deep golden yellow in autumn. However, the precise peak changes from year to year.
Expect Crowds During Peak Autumn
The tree's popularity has created a practical problem: too many visitors for a small temple courtyard. In previous peak seasons, visitor numbers have been restricted, and reservations have been required. China.org.cn reported that authorities introduced visitor limits after giant crowds gathered around the tree. Anyone planning a visit should therefore check the latest temple or local tourism information rather than relying on old visitor rules.
 |
| The temple courtyard glows beneath the ancient ginkgo in autumn. |
 |
| The centuries-old ginkgo stands beside the historic Buddhist temple. |
 |
| Visitors gather to see the tree during its short autumn display. |
 |
| Autumn brings brilliant golden colours to the temple grounds. |
 |
| The ancient tree grows in the foothills of China’s Zhongnan Mountains. |
 |
| Thousands of fallen leaves create a colourful carpet below the tree. |
A Golden Autumn Worth Seeing
The 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree at Gu Guanyin Temple is remarkable not simply because of its age but because of the scene it creates every autumn. For a short period, its leaves turn brilliant yellow and cover the ancient temple courtyard. The mountain backdrop, historic surroundings, and enormous canopy create a landscape that looks almost unreal in photographs.
Yet the most fascinating part is that the tree does not need to be extraordinary every day. For most of the year, it is simply an ancient ginkgo growing quietly beside a temple. Then autumn arrives. The leaves change colour, the courtyard turns gold, and for a few weeks one of China's oldest living trees becomes one of its most beautiful natural spectacles.
- Hocking Hills Caves, Ohio → A Wild and Wonderful State Park Escape
- Moon Bridge Taiwan → Discover the Beautiful Bridge at Dahu Park
- Glass Beach California → The Fascinating Sea Glass Beach of Fort Bragg
- Ginnie Springs → The clearest springs in Florida
- Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree → Eucalyptus deglupta
References & Sources
- Xi'an Municipal Government — information on the ancient ginkgo's location, age, autumn viewing period and traditional association with Li Shimin.
- China.org.cn — reporting on the tree's popularity, visitor numbers and traditional planting story.
- China Daily — information on the tree's age, autumn display and visitor interest.
- South China Morning Post — 2025 reporting on research into ancient trees preserved by Chinese temples.
- Visit Xi'an — current location and seasonal information for the Guanyin Temple ginkgo.
- Boredpanda — 1,400-Year-Old Chinese Ginkgo Tree
Really Beautiful
ReplyDeleteLove it
ReplyDelete