Ancient Cypresses: Taiwan’s Sacred Trees

Of all the remarkable natural wonders in Taiwan’s sprawling mountain forests, primeval cypress trees are some of the most spectacular. The people of Taiwan have great respect for these leafy giants, most of which are more than 1,000 years old. Locals hold such reverence for them; they have dubbed them sacred trees and go to great lengths to preserve them. As part of wide-ranging efforts to protect the nation’s diverse ecosystems, the government has also established cypress conservation areas to ensure their continued health.