Pictured: The incredible 800-year-old ginkgo tree in South Korea some say is the most beautiful in t

June 2024 ยท 2 minute read

Behold the tree that some say is the world's most beautiful.

The ginkgo tree, in the village of Bangye-ri in South Korea, is thought to be at least 800 years old and attracts visitors from far and wide. Especially when adorned with its golden autumnal plumage.

Visit Korea explains that the tree has been protected as a natural monument since January 31, 1965.

This ginkgo tree, in the village of Bangye-ri in South Korea, is thought to be at least 800 years old and attracts visitors from far and wide. Especially when adorned with its golden autumnal plumage

This ginkgo tree, in the village of Bangye-ri in South Korea, is thought to be at least 800 years old and attracts visitors from far and wide. Especially when adorned with its golden autumnal plumage

It reaches a total height of 33 metres (108ft), with an east-to-west crown measuring 37.5 metres (123ft).

Visit Korea continues: 'According to one legend, it was planted by a member of the Seongju Lee family, who stopped for a drink of water here and left his staff standing in the ground when he left. The staff then grew into the tree. Another legend about the tree states that there is a white snake living in it, which is why it has grown so strong and big today.

'The local farmers believe they will have a good harvest if the whole tree turns gold in autumn.'

Chae Beom-sik, the head of Bangye-ri village, told the Korea JoongAng Daily in 2021: 'An average of 4,000 people visit a day, whether it's a weekday or the weekend.

'There are no restaurants around, and the nearest convenience store is 1.5 kilometres away, but people swarm in for the beauty of this tree alone.'

Visit Korea explains that the tree has been protected as a natural monument since January 31, 1965

Visit Korea explains that the tree has been protected as a natural monument since January 31, 1965

The tree reaches a total height of 33 metres (108ft), with an east-to-west crown measuring 37.5 metres (123ft)

The tree reaches a total height of 33 metres (108ft), with an east-to-west crown measuring 37.5 metres (123ft) 

The tree is an online hit, too.

Travel photographer Seo Young-gil's recent autumnal picture of the tree has received over 50,000 likes on Instagram.

Commenters have described the photograph as 'beautiful', 'breathtaking' and 'magnificent'.

Meanwhile, one YouTuber titled his video of the tree simply: 'The most beautiful tree in the world.'

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