Jiangdong of Tengchong: A place where the sunshine lingers

In autumn, when yellow leaves fly in the air, Jiangdong Village of Gudong Township, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan will become a golden fairytale. In my mind, this good place also known as Ginkgo Village is where the sunshine lingers. From spring and autumn, the sun is always on the way, so it does need a rest.

Jiangdong Village is located 35 kilometres north of the county seat of Tengchong. The village has over 30,000 ginkgo trees. Among them, 1,000 ancient ginkgo trees are over 100 years old. Legend has it that during Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398) when the ancestors of Jiangdong people came here from Sichuan to garrison the frontiers, they brought some ginkgo trees here and planted them around their houses to help them remember their hometown. Over years, the ginkgo trees grew more and more, taller and taller, so Jiangdong Village is now also referred to as Ginkgo Village.

In late autumn, when you come to Jiangdong Village, the shiny yellow ginkgo leaves are seen everywhere. Women sit in front of their houses, doing embroidery in the warm sunshine while chatting and laughing from time to time; groups of children play by the walls, in courtyards and under ginkgo trees; golden yellow leaves dance like butterflies... Looking around, all you see is golden yellow.

Jiangdong people prefer to say “trees of health”, “trees of old-age” and “trees of harmony” instead of ginkgo trees. They are called “trees of health” mainly because the ginkgo nuts are good for health. They can improve the respiratory system and sleep quality. In addition, they are also used for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

They are sometimes referred to “trees of old age” because Ginkgo nuts can bring in income, and when children are old enough to divide up family property and live apart, the fruiting ginkgo trees are generally given to parents to support them in old age.

They are also called “trees of harmony” because Jiangdong villagers get along well with each other and they would share ginkgo nuts if the ginkgo trees grow between houses. Besides, ginkgo trees are dioecious plants and female ginkgo trees must be pollinated by male ginkgo tree before they can bear fruit. Therefore, when ginkgo nuts are harvested, the owners of female ginkgo trees would send several kilograms of ginkgo nuts to the owners of male ginkgo trees to express their thanks. In such a harmonious village, no wonder the sunshine would linger.

 

Jiangdong of Tengchong: A place where the sunshine lingers

In autumn, when yellow leaves fly in the air, Jiangdong Village of Gudong Township, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan will become a golden fairytale. In my mind, this good place also known as Ginkgo Village is where the sunshine lingers. From spring and autumn, the sun is always on the way, so it does need a rest. Jiangdong Village is located 35 kilometres north of the county seat of Tengchong. The village has over 30,000 ginkgo trees. Among them, 1,000 ancient ginkgo trees are over 100 years old. Legend has it that during Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398) when the ancestors of Jiangdong people came here from Sichuan to garrison the frontiers, they brought some ginkgo trees here and planted them around their houses to help them remember their hometown. Over years, the ginkgo trees grew more and more, taller and taller, so Jiangdong Village is now also referred to as Ginkgo Village. In late autumn, when you come to Jiangdong Village, the shiny yellow ginkgo leaves are seen everywhere. Women sit in front of their houses, doing embroidery in the warm sunshine while chatting and laughing from time to time; groups of children play by the walls, in courtyards and under ginkgo trees; golden yellow leaves dance like butterflies... Looking around, all you see is golden yellow. Jiangdong people prefer to say trees of health, trees of old-age and trees of harmony instead of ginkgo trees. They are called trees of health mainly because the ginkgo nuts are good for health. They can improve the respiratory system and sleep quality. In addition, they are also used for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. They are sometimes referred to trees of old age because Ginkgo nuts can bring in income, and when children are old enough to divide up family property and live apart, the fruiting ginkgo trees are generally given to parents to support them in old age. They are also called trees of harmony because Jiangdong villagers get along well with each other and they would share ginkgo nuts if the ginkgo trees grow between houses. Besides, ginkgo trees are dioecious plants and female ginkgo trees must be pollinated by male ginkgo tree before they can bear fruit. Therefore, when ginkgo nuts are harvested, the owners of female ginkgo trees would send several kilograms of ginkgo nuts to the owners of male ginkgo trees to express their thanks. In such a harmonious village, no wonder the sunshine would linger.