A City Grown Under the Shade of Banyan Trees
Fuzhou City, the capital of southeast China’s Fujian Province, is affectionately known as the “City of Banyan Trees.” This enduring nickname dates back nearly nine centuries to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), a time when the city faced frequent flooding and sweltering summer heat.
Seeking solutions to these challenges, the visionary local governor Zhang Boyu embarked on a mission to transform the city’s environment. Driven by a desire to create a more livable and verdant urban landscape, he famously declared that Fuzhou should be so green that parasols would be unnecessary in the summer months.
To bring this vision to life, Zhang encouraged every family in the city to plant the resilient banyan tree. With their expansive canopies and deep roots, the banyan trees provided much-needed shade and helped stabilize the soil against floods. Over time, these trees transformed Fuzhou into a lush oasis, earning it the moniker that endures to this day.
Today, the banyan trees are not just symbols of Fuzhou’s commitment to a greener environment but also living testaments to its rich history and cultural heritage. The city’s leafy boulevards and shaded parks offer residents and visitors alike a respite from the urban bustle, embodying a harmonious blend of nature and development.
As Fuzhou continues to grow and modernize, the banyan trees remain a cherished part of its identity, reminding all who walk beneath them of the city’s enduring relationship with nature and its historical roots stretching back to the Song Dynasty.
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Live: An aerial view of China's Fuzhou, the City of Banyan Tree
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