A sanctuary of living history
On Mount Heng, known in China as Nanyue or the "Southern Peak" of the five great mountains, a unique convergence of faith and ecology has preserved an extraordinary biological record. For centuries, the mountain's status as a holy site for both Buddhism and Taoism has protected its forests from development. The grounds of its more than 200 temples and monasteries contain patches of old-growth subtropical forest, ecosystems that are now rare in the region. This long-term protection has turned the mountain into an accidental biological preserve.
The Fuyan Temple is an example of this preservation. Within its grounds stand ancient Ginkgo biloba trees, with some specimens estimated to be 1,400 years old. These individual trees are living monuments that survived through numerous dynasties and historical periods. Their existence is because of their sacred status, common in China where temple grounds protect thousands of ancient trees, including some species that are now extinct in the wild. The forest coverage on Mount Heng exceeds 83%, creating a habitat for immense biodiversity. The mountain contains over 1,200 plant species, with some trees in its nine primitive forest areas reaching 300 to 400 years of age.