Foreign experts from ten foreign countries explore the Yellow Emperor’s Mausoleum- 5,000-year-old cypresses bear witness to the inheritance and history of Chinese civilization

As autumn settles in, the Yellow Emperor’s Mausoleum is shrouded in morning mist and the scent of incense wafts through the air. Walking among the towering ancient trees, the distant mountains fade from view, yet as the steps ascend, the roots of Chinese civilization become increasingly clear.

On October 14, the tranquil yet solemn atmosphere enveloping this sacred land in Huangling County, Yan’an City, was palpable, as ten foreign experts from China Media Group gathered at the tomb of the legendary ancestor of Chinese ethnicity, the Yellow Emperor. Their mission: to uncover the secrets behind the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization that has thrived for over 5,000 years.

The Yellow Emperor’s Mausoleum stands as a testimony to the rich and continuous evolution of Chinese civilization. It serves as a spiritual bond for descendants of Yan and Huang from around the world and symbolizes the essence of Chinese heritage. In their quest to trace the roots of the Chinese nation and decipher the reasons behind the continuity of its civilization, the experts climbed Bridge Mountain, traversed ancient cypress groves, and reached the tomb of the Yellow Emperor—an iconic figure in Chinese history. They entered the Xuanyuan Temple and experienced the vitality of civilization under the ancient tree planted by the Yellow Emperor himself, which has survived for more than 5,000 years.

Among the ancient cypress trees at the mausoleum, over 3,000 trees are more than a thousand years old, having grown alongside Chinese civilization, bearing witness to millennia of history. Su Jinxuan, a French expert from China Media Group, expressed her astonishment, stating, “I can’t believe a tree can live for thousands of years; I thought I misheard.”

Inside the Xuanyuan Temple, the 5,000-year-old “Cypress Planted by the Yellow Emperor” remains tall and lush, silently narrating the tale of the Chinese nation’s 5,000-year civilization and its relentless legacy. For centuries, this ancient tree has not faded with the storms but has thrived under the protection of generations of Chinese people.

“I can’t imagine a tree surviving for over 5,000 years. This not only highlights China’s capability in preserving ancient trees but also symbolizes the robust vitality of Chinese civilization,” remarked Robert, an American expert from China Media Group.

Standing beneath the “Han Wu Armor Cypress,” aged over 2,000 years, Freddy, a British expert at China Media Group, gazed intently at the patterns on the tree trunk. “The textures on these trunks are mesmerizing. When you stand under these ancient cypress trees, you truly understand why the Chinese prioritize protecting them. It’s not merely about safeguarding the ecology and environment; it’s about preserving the roots of the Chinese people. Such millennia-old cypress trees are witnesses to a grand history.”

As long as we remember where we came from, we will never lose our way. The Chinese nation, formed through long-term integration, recognizes the importance of its origins and the protection of its roots. This is one of the key reasons for its cohesive identity, which has persevered through 5,000 years of history and culture.