Unique hollow banyan tree hundreds of years old at relic site in Nghe An

Huy Thu• DNUM_AEZADZCACA 10:14

(Baonghean.vn) - Van Loc Temple in Nghi Tan Ward, Cua Lo Town is a famous historical relic. Many ancient artifacts are preserved here, especially a hundred-year-old banyan tree with a hollow core but still green.

Van Loc Temple was built during the Le Dynasty, an ancient and large-scale architectural work, worshiping Grand Tutor District Duke Nguyen Su Hoi (1444-1506) - the eldest son of Grand Tutor Cuong Quoc Cong Nguyen Xi. He was a man of great merit in protecting the country and people, repelling enemies, opening up villages, and establishing Van Loc village (today's Nghi Tan ward). Photo: Huy Thu

When visiting Van Loc Temple, visitors cannot help but be surprised to see the ancient banyan tree behind and to the left of the temple. Although hollow, it is still alive, green, and resilient in the sun and wind. Photo: Huy Thu

Ms. Dinh Thi Oanh (72 years old), a member of the temple management board, said: In the past, this area was called Trai Bang because there were many banyan trees. The ancient banyan tree in the temple has been around for a long time, hundreds of years ago. In the past few decades, it has become hollow, with a large opening at the base. The tree is about 12 m high, with the largest circumference of the tree's base being about 4 m. Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Le Minh Chau (73 years old), a long-time member of the Management Board of Van Loc Temple, added: In the past, there were many ancient banyan trees in the temple grounds, but now there is only one tree left. This banyan tree was once broken by big storms, and over time the main trunk of the tree (about 7m) became rotten and hollow from bottom to top, but miraculously, over the past decades, the tree has still lived, green, and grows many new branches every year. In the photo: Standing in the trunk looking up, the banyan tree looks like a "huge" dry wooden tube. Photo: Huy Thu

Inside the banyan tree is quite large, underneath there is a lot of soil, bricks, tiles, leaves... Photo: Huy Thu

The banyan tree can accommodate about 4-5 people. Many visitors who come here often enjoy standing under the old tree to take pictures. Photo: Huy Thu

The lower part of the banyan tree trunk, in addition to a gap the size of a human body, also has many bumps, convexities, concavities and many large holes. Photo: Huy Thu

Despite being hollow, the ancient banyan tree still grows green and lush, with many young banyan branches still sprouting out, affirming its strong vitality every spring. Photo: Huy Thu

In addition to the hundreds of years old hollow banyan tree, at Van Loc temple there is also a stone stele over 350 years old, with four sides engraved with Chinese characters about the life and career of Thai Uy Quan Cong Nguyen Su Hoi. Photo: Huy Thu

The shrines of the temple still preserve many ancient and rare artifacts, such as the throne, twin swords, eight treasures, incense burners... Van Loc Temple is one of three relics of Cua Lo town recognized as a National Historical Relic. Photo: Huy Thu