China News Service, Lishui, October 3 (Zhou Jian, Mao Jiangdong) During the National Day holiday, people crowded in front of the ancient trees in Yangjiatang Village, Sandu Township, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province, and Houshe Village, Zhuyuan Township. The century-old "husband and wife camphor" and the unique locust tree have become popular places for tourists to check in.
Why do trees attract so many people?
In Yangjiatang Village, the branches of two century-old camphor trees are intertwined, and they are called "Couple Camphor" by the villagers. Tourist Lu Xuxing said that he came across "Couple's Campground" on the Internet and took advantage of the National Day. "Standing under the tree, it was more shocking than in the camera." Zhang Jiuling, who is engaged in self-media, made a special trip from Nanjing. She said, "It's better than expected. It's simple, has a sense of time, and you can see the precipitation of time."
"Husband and wife camp" in Yangjiatang Village. Photo courtesy of Songyang County Party Committee Propaganda Department
Traffic directly translates into revenue. During the National Day, the occupancy rate of B&Bs in and around Yangjiatang Village was generally high, and some boutique B&Bs were fully booked one month in advance; sales of local specialties such as tea, dried bamboo shoots, and dried sweet potatoes produced by the villagers doubled. Wang Guanggui, the person in charge of Wangshu Coffee, said that the average daily customer flow during the National Day is about thousands. Tourists come from all over the country, with more tourists from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. The daily sales of coffee can reach several thousand yuan.
A few kilometers away in Houshe Village, a sophora tree stands on the hillside, with its branches stretching toward the sky, shaped like antlers. Although it has no leaves, it has become the "most beautiful" place in the eyes of tourists. Cheng Peixiu, a photography enthusiast, said that the dead branches are vigorous, forming a strong contrast with the distant mountains, and are very tense when viewed in the mirror. "Such a tree is rare elsewhere, and the pine sun is completely preserved."
The bitter oak tree in Houshe Village. Photo courtesy of Songyang County Party Committee Propaganda Department
Behind the popularity of ancient trees is the people's yearning for "relaxation" and "poetic dwelling". The "couple camphor" satisfies people's imagination of perfection, protection and pastoral life; the bitter locust tree echoes young people's pursuit of unique aesthetics and lonely poetry. They are not just plants, they are emotional carriers.
Tourist Qian Liyan said that the century-old tree has its own vitality. "Standing under the tree, it seems that you can feel a kind of energy." Visitor Zhan Cunliang said with emotion that the tree has witnessed rural changes and intergenerational growth, "it's quite interesting."
It is a good thing for ancient trees to attract customers, but how to turn "traffic" into "retention" and "internet celebrity" into "long-term popularity"? Take She Village as an example. During this year's National Day holiday, the village's 1.7-hectare ancient tree park was completed and put into use. The scattered ancient trees are connected in a line, and equipped with walking trails and viewing platforms, which are intended to allow tourists to slow down, wander around, and stay.
Ye Longwei, secretary of the Party branch of Houshe Village, said that the village will protect the ancient trees and allow more tourists to enter the ancient tree park. During the National Day, young party members were also arranged to be on duty next to groups of ancient trees and internet-famous trees, explaining the origins of ancient trees and the history of ancient villages to tourists, making checking in more than just taking photos. (over)
