The beauty of Tinglin Town is reflected in its Chinese name referring to "pavilion" and "woods" respectively.

One of Shanghai's oldest townships, Tinglin Town is primarily famous for its abundance of trees and plants. Its most famous example is a Buddhist pine from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Planted in 1356 by Yang Weizhen, a writer and calligrapher who was marking his 60th birthday, the tree is said to be "the No.1 pine tree to the south of the Yangtze River."

Derived from Yang's other name "Tieya," it is also known as the "Tieya Pine" by locals.
The impressive tree is about 7.2 meters tall with a large crown. Although two-thirds of its trunk has withered, it is still alive and verdant.

In its honor, the town government has built a rockery at its base so as to prop up the trunk.

Surrounding the tree is a mini garden called "Old Pine Tree Garden." It is one of the small township's main attractions and is popular as a meeting place for the town's elderly residents.

The hearty pine which grows all over the world, is famous for its near-evergreen status. Even in the fiercest winters it hardly dries out. Thus in China, the tree has always been a symbol of long life representing a spirit of never giving up.

The pattern of the pine tree, together with the majestic red-crowned crane, which is also regarded as a symbol of long life, can usually be found depicted in artwork on ancient Chinese porcelain. It carries the wish of health and longevity.

From a certain angle, Tinglin's old tree looks exactly like a young girl dancing. However, on closer inspection, the trunk makes it look more like a big bird in flight.

Around the garden there are many other plants. Together with the pine tree is a baragina tree planted in 1836 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is about 11 meters tall and compliments the older pine.

Four evergreen cypress and two locust trees and a clump of bamboo as well as calyx canthus, also known as "winter sweet," are also planted around the two ancient trees.

Among them, the calyx canthus, a popular winter flower in the city, is currently in full bloom and fragrant for miles. The yellow flowers, together with the blue sky and the white clouds on a clear day, form a beautiful picture in the chilly weather.

Also in the garden is a main hall, a pavilion and a covered corridor, making it an ideal place for people, young and old alike, to have a rest or to while away a leisurely afternoon.

Other famous ancient trees around the town can be found on the grounds of a high school not far away from the garden.

Two hackberry trees, planted in 1876 and 1879 during the Qing Dynasty, are over 12 meters and 15 meters tall respectively. They are currently located on a mound at the school.

Another elm tree, also planted in the Qing Dynasty by a man surnamed Qi, is over 120 years old and about 15 meters tall. All are listed on the city's ancient tree list.

Trees are a priority for the district and it was recognized for this when it won first prize in the city's ancient trees protection program in 2002.

"So far, the district is home to a total of 80 ancient trees over 100-year-old, among which 22 are over 300 years old," said Jiang Weilin, a district government official. "We have established a network, which enables us to organize the protection work from tree to tree."

Each old tree in the district has its own protector who is required to record the tree's overall information from time to time. Daily care work, such as ventilating, weeding and pest prevention, is carried out.

"Trees have always been human beings' good friends. Old trees are valuable and need more tender care," Jiang said.

"We will keep carrying out the current protection measures, not only to those trees hundreds of years old, but also to those future 'wannabees,"' he added.

(eastday.com January 19, 2004)