A Tree,a City

Text by Chen Xi Photos by Zhu Xiyong

The tree seeing off the sun over the city 夕阳下

Seemingly overnight,a tree on the bank of the Yangtze River became an internet fad.

Standing quietly near Tieji Road Wharf on the Wuchang Bund and gazing over the flowing Yangtze River,this Italian poplar has been bathing in the spring breeze and the autumn moon over the years,with a large green lawn behind and a bench on its right.

As there’s no other tree within 50 meters,it has become a landmark in the area,which has stirred up a sensation online.

People have been swarming here to meet it with curiosity.They come on sunny days,sitting quietly on the bench.The silhouetted picture from the back,with the tree,bench,and people in the foreground and bustling skyscrapers across the river and the boats on the surging water,forms a natural and meaningful landscape composition.

People come in heavy rains,sitting on the bench with an umbrella in hand and watching the torrential rains over the tumbling river.Sitting here,one can feel their heart and mind become transparent,wishes and worries heard by the nature around,and pressure and anxiety washed away by the water.

People come after the rain.Sitting there gazing into the distance,breathing deep and relaxing one’s mind,one may let go of every worry and care in the world for a moment.

People come at dusk,holding the hands of their love.After a long and tiring day,they can now relax and enjoy the glowing sunset and poetic tranquility.

People come in their wedding dresses,letting the unique and tranquil landscape witness their most sweet and beautiful moment.

长江边的一棵树，火了！

一棵意杨树，静静伫立武昌江滩铁机路码头，观滚滚长江东逝水，望秋月春风，回首是一大片青草坪，右后方一把长椅与之相守。

以半径50 米环顾一周再无一株树，看似孤独落寞的它，置身此情此景中，就这么自然地擦出了火花，火啦！

于是乎……

晴天，你来了，带着一份好奇，来瞧瞧网红树，嗯，静坐长椅上，从背后拍照，对岸繁华高楼、滔滔江水、江上行船、一棵树、长椅和你融为一幅意蕴悠长的自然画，你的心为之一振……

暴雨，你来了。撑伞坐在长椅上，与它慢慢聊，聊聊心语心愿，与天地对话，纾解心中不快，江涛听见了，骤雨听见了……

雨后，你来了。坐在长椅上，凝望着它，放空自己，什么都不想，自由畅快深呼吸，简简单单发会儿呆……

黄昏，你来了。疲惫工作一天后，牵着恋人或爱人的手，寻一份诗意的宁静，沉醉夕阳中……

结婚，你来了。它的那份安宁，独特的神韵，见证你们拍婚纱照的甜蜜时刻。

就这样，你仰望陪伴它，它也倾听、抚慰你的心，并祝福你。

自然而然，游客如潮，几乎“不断档”，这棵树火了！

“一棵普普通通的树成为网红，确实出乎意料。”武昌江滩现场负责人周晓煜感慨，可能是此情此景正好与你的心一拍即合吧。类似风姿的树在江滩找到了同款，但同一场景同一画风同一神韵的，确实找不到第二个。

这幅“画”是人为设计的？“浑然天成。”周晓煜介绍，原址是一个旧厂区，改造成江滩时，它周边树木大多有病虫害或长势不好，唯保留它这棵独苗，设计大草坪是供游人扎帐篷，那把长椅是供游客休息，每100 米放置一个，恰巧放在那棵树右边，没想到成“点睛之笔”。

The tree waiting for an upcoming storm 暴雨前

The tree on a cloudy day 多云时

People visit and look up to the tree.The tree listens and soothes people’s hearts,greeting them with blessings.

Surrounded by an endless stream of tourists,the tree went viral online.

“We didn’t expect such an ordinary tree to become an internet celebrity,” said Zhou Xiaoyu,who’s in charge of the management of the Wuchang Bund.Maybe part of the reason is that this scene strikes the secret solitary in people’s hearts.There are some other similar trees on the bund,but none of the others seem to have the elegance and charisma this one has.

People wonder if this tree was deliberately designed.“It’s 100% natural,” Zhou Xiaoyu explained.Its location used to be an old factory site before it was transformed into part of the bund.Most of the trees were removed due to pest-related diseases or maldevelopment—except for this one.The large lawn was there for tourists to put up tents and one bench was placed every 100 meters along the bund.This particular bench ended on the right side of the tree and unexpectedly became the “finishing touch” of the scene.

“It’s quiet now.On sunny days it gets too crowded,” commented a tourist the day before yesterday while taking pictures after the rain.According to him,this tree is attractive because of the tranquility,simplicity,and nature it passes to modern urban people.

Perhaps even the prosperous skyscrapers on the other side of the river cast an envious eye upon this poplar tree standing there in peace.

Leading a fast-paced life in a noisy metropolis,we can’t help feeling blessed that there is such a beautiful tree tucked away,where everyone can calm down and enjoy the stillness.

What excitement will the upcoming summer days bring for the tree? What would the tree look like against the crimson clouds in a resplendent sunset? We’ll have to wait for you to unveil the answer when you visit.(Translation:Lu Qiongyao)

The tree bathing in the sunlight 晴天里

The tree bathing in the rain 小雨中

“这个时候拍，是最安静的时候，出太阳就不得了了。”前日阴雨间歇，一位游客拍照时说的这句话，道出这棵树红火的原因——对宁静、朴素和自然，大家有着极大的渴盼与追求。

这棵意杨，静守一份纯粹，对岸繁华的高楼或也投来羡慕的目光。

喧闹的城市，快节奏的生活，能有一个角落，有一棵直抵人心的树，供你独自凝思、清静片刻，实为小确幸。

夏天来了，火烧云与这棵树会碰撞出怎样的精彩，等你来揭晓。