Tibet Diary by Zhou Yun

Saturday, May 28

Today I visit Nyingchi County, whose beautiful forests have earned it the nickname "Switzerland of Tibet".

Using the town of Bayi as a base for my travels in Nyingchi, I first go to the village of Bajie, about 8 kilometers outside of town. My destination is a park filled with ancient cypress trees. Arriving, I find out there are at least 10 hectares of cypress trees in the park, with an average height of 44 meters. The tallest cypress in the park is about 50 meters high, and is at least 2600 years old. This tree is said to be the "life tree" of Shinrab Miba, founder of the Ben sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Leaving Bajie village on an increasingly bumpy road, I continue on to Bangna village, some 30 kilometers southeast of Bayi town. I'm heading to see the "Mulberry King", an ancient and gigantic mulberry tree (as far as mulberry trees go).

But before I reach the "King", I see a big road sign that says, "The Biggest Ancient Temple in Nyingchi County: Daze Temple". I decide to take a quick detour to investigate. I grow excited at first sight. The temple is the second largest temple of the Ben sect. I talk with the oldest Lama at the temple. He is now about 70 years old and is originally from Ganzi, in Sichuan province. I walk around the temple and see many Buddhist scriptures.

I say goodbye to the Lama and continue on the road to the Mulberry King. Soon I begin to feel tired and thirsty. And it is just at this time that I see the Benri Holy Spring, located at the foot of the Benri Holy Mountain. I jump out of the car and run to drink from the holy spring, whose water is said to beneficial to the eyes.

After this refreshment, I regain strength, and continue on the road to Bangna village and the Mulberry King. Arriving in the village, I see the tree: It’s a 7.4-meter-tall mulberry tree, estimated to be about 1600 years old. Local Tibetans regard the tree as a symbol of good luck and have respected and protected it for a long time.

(CRIENGLISH.com)

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