Linfen, Shanxi Province

Hongdong Great Locust Tree

洪洞大槐树History & Culture

"Where is my hometown? The Great Locust Tree of Hongdong, Shanxi. Where was my ancestors' home? A crow's nest beneath the Great Locust Tree." Since the Ming dynasty,…

Hongdong Great Locust Tree — illustration

Hongdong Great Locust Tree, Linfen · AI illustration for China Trip

Key facts

Admission
¥80 (peak season); ¥60 (off-season)
Time needed
2–3 hours
Getting there
Take a bus from Linfen Bus Station to Hongdong Bus Station; the journey takes 40 minutes and costs ¥5. Then take a local bus from Hongdong Bus Station to the Great Locust Tree. A taxi costs ¥10, or you can walk, as it is not too far.
Guidebook rating
5 / 5

From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1857. Open in Google Maps

About Hongdong Great Locust Tree

"Where is my hometown? The Great Locust Tree of Hongdong, Shanxi. Where was my ancestors' home? A crow's nest beneath the Great Locust Tree." Since the Ming dynasty, this folk ballad has circulated widely across China and can often be heard among overseas Chinese and their descendants. The Hongdong Great Locust Tree has become a spiritual anchor for Chinese people everywhere, because it embodies the attachment and longing of ancestors for their homeland, and the heartfelt emotional bond of later generations with the great migration of the Ming dynasty.

The Hongdong Great Locust Tree stands 2 km northwest of Hongdong county seat. The ancient tree of the Han dynasty was destroyed long ago in a natural disaster, but a third-generation ancient tree now grows from its roots, soaring several zhang (丈) tall, with a sturdy trunk and lush branches.

Hongdong Great Locust Tree
Larry yang · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions

How much does Hongdong Great Locust Tree cost?

Admission to Hongdong Great Locust Tree is ¥80 (peak season); ¥60 (off-season), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.

How do I get to Hongdong Great Locust Tree?

Take a bus from Linfen Bus Station to Hongdong Bus Station; the journey takes 40 minutes and costs ¥5. Then take a local bus from Hongdong Bus Station to the Great Locust Tree. A taxi costs ¥10, or you can walk, as it is not too far.

How long should I spend at Hongdong Great Locust Tree?

Plan on 2–3 hours for Hongdong Great Locust Tree.

Where is Hongdong Great Locust Tree?

Hongdong Great Locust Tree is in Linfen, Shanxi Province, in the North China of China.

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Hukou Waterfall — illustration

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