Dianshanhu: new Jiangnan for future living and tourism

This gingko tree, 1700 years old, is the oldest in Jiangsu province. [Photo from Kunshan Tourism Resorts]

The administrative department in charge of landscaping under the Department of Construction in Jiangsu province investigated and verified that the gingko tree in Qi'ao Village near Dianshan Lake is 1,700 years old. It is a famous ancient tree at national level and the oldest gingko tree in Jiangsu province.

The tree is located on the west side of the Yongzi Road in Qi'ao village. Its height is 23 meters and the crown's breadth spans up to 21.5 meters. It stands straight and is topped with leaves. Mr Dai, a villager, said that Fuyuan Temple stood here some years ago and it's larger than Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou.

It is said that Sun Quan, King of the Wu Kingdom in the Three Kingdoms period, built Fuyuan Temple in the third century. His mother and little sister, Sun Shangxiang, often went to the temple to pray and worship Buddha.

Then, a gingko tree was planted on the west side of Fuyuan Temple. The selection of immortal seed has a profound meaning. They wished that the Wu Kingdom could live as long as the temple.

During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period, Fuyuan Temple was burnt to the ground while the ancient gingko tree escaped the disaster and then witnessed the history of hundreds of years.