Live Your Best Lives
• View the central ancient banyan tree (or group of trees) whose roots appear to grow downwards/inverted, forming a “single tree forest” effect.
• Walk the small park grounds, enjoy the shade and tropical vegetation, and appreciate the unique nature/sculptural quality of the tree.
• Use the site as a relaxing spot in the urban centre of Simao District, Pu'er City: sit, photograph, enjoy local life (morning exercise, dancing).
Located in the heart of Simao District, Pu'er City, Upside-Down Root Park takes its name from a large banyan tree with unusually inverted roots. The eastern side of the tree is laden with fruit, while the western side boasts verdant branches and leaves, creating a unique "one tree, spring and autumn" spectacle. Every autumn, the three eastern branches are laden with golden and pink fruit, attracting birds to feed and roost. Meanwhile, the two western branches, lush and green, offer a striking contrast. This simultaneous display of spring and autumn within the same tree is truly rare.
This 800-year-old Banyan tree has grown into a cluster of five interconnected trees. The largest requires six people to surround its trunk, while the smallest requires three. The entire tree covers approximately 300 square meters. Locals have bestowed upon this majestic tree numerous nicknames, including "Upside-down Roots," "One Tree for Spring and Autumn," and "A Single Tree Forms a Forest."
Subtropical monsoon climate; Upside-down Root Park is named after a peculiar large banyan tree with upside-down roots. The upside-down roots of the green tree form a single tree forest, like a huge bonsai in the city, suitable for travel in all seasons.
It is recommended to play for 1-2 hours
Free and open
Open all day
Inverted Roots Park (also known as Daoshenggen Park) is located in Simao District of Pu’er City in Yunnan Province. The park is noted for a peculiar ancient banyan tree (or cluster of banyans) whose roots appear to hang downward or “invert,” giving rise to nicknames such as “a tree in spring and autumn” and “a single tree becomes a forest”. It covers only a modest area (about-300 m² for the tree’s canopy) but stands out as a local natural landmark and urban green space.
The park is located at Zhenxing Avenue (振兴大街), Simao District, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China.
Getting there:
The park is open 24 hours (as a public municipal park) with free access. The best times to visit: early morning for quiet and cool air, or afternoon when local residents may gather for activities; avoid midday heat if tropical vegetation is heavy.
There is no entrance fee for the park — it is free to the public. No ticketing is required.
No booking is needed due to the free and open-access nature of the park.
You can explore the park comfortably in 30 minutes to 1 hour, since it is relatively small in size. For more relaxed time (photography, sitting, people-watching), allocate 1–1.5 hours.
• The ancient banyan tree(s) with inverted-looking roots at the centre of the park.
• Surrounding green space with tropical/ subtropical vegetation and benches – a nice rest area.
• Sculptural elements or signage referencing the tree and its uniqueness (some visitors mention sculptures themed on the tree).
There is no information found about formal guided tours or audio guides. It appears to be a simple urban park rather than major attraction with structured tours. You can self-explore.
• Stand at a vantage point that shows the entire banyan tree’s canopy and visible inverted roots – this is the signature photo.
• Capture the contrast of fruit-laden branches on one side vs green leaves on the other side of the tree (the local claim is it shows “spring and autumn” in the same tree).
• Use early morning or late afternoon light to highlight the textures of the roots and tree trunk in the green park surroundings.
Start at the park entrance on Zhenxing Avenue, walk up to the central banyan tree area, circle around the tree to appreciate different sides (fruit side vs green leaf side), then relax on nearby benches, enjoy the vegetation, and exit via the same or alternate path. Since the area is small, no complex route is needed.
No information indicates that the park offers special night light shows or special tours. Being open 24 hours, you could visit in the evening, but the major feature is daytime natural form of the tree.
As a small urban park, it tends to be quieter than large tourist attractions. Peak times may coincide with local residents using the square for morning exercise or dancing in the evening. The least crowded may be midday on a weekday. According to reviews, though small, it is open and easy to enjoy without heavy crowds.
Facilities are minimal: benches and green rest areas are present; there is mention of a small pond and sitting area. Toilets, food kiosks or shops are not prominently listed in sources; visitors should plan accordingly (e.g., use nearby city centre amenities).
Yes — since it is a flat urban park, walking paths are short and manageable for elderly and children. Strollers or wheelchairs should have no major barrier though surfaces are city-park level. For disabled visitors, the park is public and free; check local conditions for paved surfaces but generally accessible.
Since there is no entry fee, cash or cards are not required for entry. Nearby vendors (if any) maybe able to accept mobile payments typical in Chinese cities (Alipay/WeChat Pay), but check locally.
Inside the small park there are no major restaurants listed. Being in the city centre of Simao District, there are restaurants and cafés nearby on Zhenxing Avenue and surrounding streets where you can dine after or before your visit.
Specific vegetarian/vegan/halal options around this park are not detailed in the sources. However, since it is an urban area, you can reasonably expect to find vegetarian restaurants; for halal certification you may need to ask locally.
Yes — being in central Pu’er (Simao District) there are hotels nearby. One review lists nearby hotels such as “Pu’er Jing Land Hotel”, “Yazhi Tea City Boutique Hotel Pu’er”, “New Century SPA & Resort Pu’er”.
• Ximahe Park — a scenic riverside park in the same district.
• Explore the city centre of Pu’er (Simao District) including markets, cafés, and local tea culture.
• Visit nearby tea-related attractions in the region (though a bit further out) since Pu’er is known for its tea culture.
While the park itself doesn’t list dedicated souvenir shops, the wider Pu’er city is famed for its tea. So typical souvenirs nearby include Pu’er tea cakes/bricks, tea utensils, local handicrafts.
After your visit you can:
