Tongliang Ancient Banyan Tree Introduction
The old banyan tree in Tongliang Village in front of Bao'an Temple has been over 300 years old and is the largest sacred tree in Penghu. It has a total of 95 aerial roots, creating a shaded area in front of the temple that forms a plaza for resting and relaxing. It is hard to believe that all the branches come from the same tree if you do not observe closely. As for the history of the ancient banyan, there is no definite answer yet. One legend states that during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, a merchant ship passing through the waters of Houmen near Tongliang encountered a shipwreck, and from it, only a sapling drifted to the coast of Tongliang. The villagers of Tongliang picked it up and planted it in front of the temple. Based on this, the Tongliang ancient banyan tree may be over 300 years old. Another legend suggests that the Tongliang ancient banyan could only be around 200 years old. According to Chinese planting habits, most trees are planted after the completion of temples, and given the history of Bao'an Temple established about 200 years ago, the ancient banyan may be 100 years younger than the legend suggests. Regardless of which version is correct, the sight of the ancient banyan's greenery is certainly worth visiting. The expansive shade of the Tongliang ancient banyan serves as a place for local villagers to rest, play chess, and drink tea. On a hot summer day, it is advisable to slow down or stop and enjoy a moment of leisurely time under the shade of the great tree.
