Near Bayi, several stands of ancient Tibetan cypress survive in remarkably good condition, protected by their sacred status in the local Bon and Buddhist traditions. The trees reach extraordinary dimensions — some are more than five metres in girth — and the groves have a cathedral quality, the massive trunks rising through undergrowth of rhododendron and fern.
The largest accessible grove is near the town of Nyingchi (Bayi), signed from the main road. A boardwalk path winds through the oldest trees. The site is quiet compared to the more popular natural attractions in the prefecture and rewards an hour's slow walk. The cypresses are particularly atmospheric in mist, which is common in the spring and autumn months.