The 1,200-year-old ginkgo hidden inside Fayuansi Temple in downtown Zhengzhou has turned yellow

Fayuansi Temple in Zhengzhou (formerly known as Caogu Temple) is a millennium-old ancient temple tucked away in a corner of the city. It is located at the northwest corner of Diehu Park in the Economic Development Zone, just a 30-minute drive from downtown. This ancient temple has witnessed two thousand years of history and now preserves historical relics such as the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree and the Cao Cao military camp site, combining profound cultural heritage with natural tranquility. Below is an in-depth travel guide based on the latest information: 1. Core Information at a Glance 📍 Location: North side of Chaoshen Road, Economic Development Zone, Zhengzhou (northwest corner of Diehu Park) 🎫 Admission: Free entry; you can receive three incense sticks at the incense offering platform ⏰ Opening Hours: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM 🚗 Transportation Guide: • Self-driving: Navigate to "Fayuansi Temple," preferably via South Third Ring Road to East Third Ring Road. Parking is available for free on both sides of Chaoshen Road or at Diehu Park parking lot. • Public Transport: Take Metro Line 2 to Nansi Huan Station, then a taxi for about 20 RMB; or take bus routes 292 or 168 to Jingnan 8th Road East Third Ring Road stop, then walk 800 meters. ⚠️ Notes: • The temple is a nunnery and a place of practice, so please keep quiet and dress appropriately (avoid shorts and short skirts). • The thousand-year-old ginkgo tree beside the Dizang Hall is a protected cultural relic; climbing or carving on it is prohibited. 2. In-Depth Travel Experience 🌟 Exploring the Millennium-Old Temple 1. Historical Relics Exploration: ◦ Ginkgo Wonder: The thousand-year-old ginkgo tree in front of Dizang Hall stands 15 meters tall and requires four people to embrace it. It is 1,200 years old and the oldest ginkgo tree in Zhengzhou’s main urban area. In autumn (mid to late November), the tree turns golden, and the fallen leaves carpet the ground like a rug, creating a picturesque scene with the red walls and black tiles—this is the best viewing period. ◦ Cao Cao Earthen City Ruins: The earthen slope beside the temple is the military camp site from the Battle of Guandu during the Three Kingdoms period. The existing rammed earth city wall is 10 meters wide and 8 meters high. You can walk along the trail around it to feel the weight of history. ◦ Double Dragon Stone Stele: In front of the temple stands a Ming Dynasty stone stele carved with two dragons entwined. The front is inscribed with "Fayuansi Temple," and the back clearly reads "Buddha Has Spirit," making it a treasured artifact of the temple. 2. Architectural Aesthetics Appreciation: ◦ The temple layout is symmetrical, with main buildings including Guanyin Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Dizang Hall. Although recently rebuilt, it retains Ming and Qing Dynasty style dougong brackets, flying eaves, and brick carving craftsmanship. ◦ Inside the Mahavira Hall is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by eighteen arhats each with unique expressions; Dizang Hall features vividly colored murals of the Ten Kings of Hell with exquisite details. 🌟 Surrounding Ecological Interaction 1. Strolling in Diehu Park: ◦ Fayuansi Temple is adjacent to Diehu Lake. You can walk along the wooden boardwalk by the lake and enjoy the scenic views. The east side’s Golden Sand Beach is a great spot for family outings, while the west side’s "Ring Bridge" is a popular photo spot. The ring-shaped cable-stayed bridge resembles a ring and is perfect for watching sunsets in the evening. ◦ The park has a camping area where you can bring your own tent for a picnic or rent shared bikes to cycle around the lake. 2. Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience: ◦ If you visit on the 30th day of the seventh lunar month (Dizang Bodhisattva’s birthday), you can join the Fayuansi temple fair to experience traditional folk activities such as dragon and lion dances, Heluo drum performances, and taste special snacks like mutton soup and sugar paintings. ◦ Nearby, the Chaohe Office has an intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting workshop where you can book to experience paper-cutting skills. 3. 📷 Photography and Check-in Guide 1. Best Photo Spots: ◦ Ginkgo Close-up: Stand on the steps of Dizang Hall with the ginkgo tree as the background to capture both the ancient building and the ancient tree in one frame. Early morning or late afternoon side lighting enhances the translucency of the leaves. ◦ Ring Bridge Panorama: From the lotus corridor on the east side of Fayuansi Temple, look out at the Ring Bridge and Diehu Lake forming a "lake and bridge shadow" composition. Using a telephoto lens is recommended to compress the spatial sense. ◦ Historical Atmosphere: In front of the rammed earth wall of Cao Cao’s earthen city ruins, wear Hanfu for a "time-travel" photo, using an oil-paper umbrella or round fan to enhance the mood. 2. 🧥 Outfit Suggestions: ◦ For temple scenes, plain cotton and linen clothing (such as off-white or light gray) is recommended; avoid bright colors. Bring small props like bamboo handbags or prayer beads for photos. ◦ In autumn and winter, pairing with scarves or cloaks in matching colors is suggested for warmth and layering. 4. Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1. Off-Peak Visits: ◦ Weekends and holidays are crowded; it’s best to visit on weekday mornings from 9 to 11 AM or afternoons from 3 to 5 PM to avoid peak crowds. ◦ During the ginkgo viewing period (November), early weekday mornings are ideal for soft lighting and fewer visitors, making it easier to take good photos. 2. Dining and Accommodation: ◦ On-site dining: Diehu Park has convenience stores and snack stalls offering simple meals like grilled sausages and instant noodles; the "Die Lian Xi Dong Art Restaurant" on the west side of the park specializes in Henan cuisine, with the Yellow River big carp highly recommended. ◦ Accommodation options: ◦ Premium experience: Yinji Ice and Snow Hotel, suitable for family travelers. ◦ Budget-friendly: Atour Hotel in the Economic Development Zone, a 15-minute drive from Fayuansi Temple, offers free parking. 3. Other Tips: ◦ There is no drinking water inside the temple, so bring bottled water; mosquitoes are common in summer, so bring insect repellent. 5. Suggested Itinerary One-Day Tour Recommendation • Morning: Arrive at Fayuansi Temple at 9:00 AM, visit the thousand-year-old ginkgo and Cao Cao earthen city ruins, and photograph the ancient architecture and natural scenery; at 10:30 AM, walk to Diehu Park, check in at the Ring Bridge, and stroll around the lake. • Noon: At 12:00 PM, dine at Die Lian Xi Dong Art Restaurant or picnic in the camping area. • Afternoon: At 2:00 PM, enjoy the children’s playground facilities in the park (such as the popular slide and acorn climbing house); at 4:00 PM, return to Fayuansi Temple to photograph the ancient temple panorama at sunset. • Evening: At 6:00 PM, head back and stop by the "Leshang Tiandi Life Plaza" in the Economic Development Zone to try local delicacies (recommended: Fang Zhongshan spicy soup). Two-Day Tour Recommendation • Day 1: Follow the one-day itinerary, then check in at Yinji Ice and Snow Hotel in the evening to experience the hotel’s ice and snow park and hot springs (extra charges apply). • Day 2: At 9:00 AM, visit Yinji Animal Kingdom to enjoy core attractions like the Chief’s House and Grassland Adventure Base; return at 5:00 PM to end the trip. 6. Historical and Cultural Background 1. Fayuansi Temple History: ◦ Fayuansi Temple was founded in the Western Han Dynasty, originally named Caogu Temple. It is said to have been built by Cao Cao for his sister. During the Later Zhou of the Five Dynasties, Emperor Shizong Chai Rong named it "Fayuansi" and wrote the poem "After the rain, the sky clears where clouds break," symbolizing national prosperity. ◦ The temple currently houses a Yuan Dynasty stone stele "The Tower of the Enlightened Master Xuan Gong," recording the history of the temple’s reconstruction during the Southern Song Dynasty. 2. Ancient Tree Legend: ◦ The thousand-year-old ginkgo tree was burned by Japanese troops during the Anti-Japanese War, leaving only a dead trunk. In 1988, new branches sprouted from the roots, and now it has fully healed. It is hailed as "Zhengzhou’s oldest tree" and a "miracle of life." ◦ A blessing plaque is set under the tree where visitors can write wishes and tie them to the branches, experiencing the beautiful meaning of the "ancient tree’s spiritual connection."