Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

Shi Honglin has walked the roads lined with ancient cypress trees near his home so many times over the past 60 years that he can recount stories about them as if they were members of his own family.

The 67-year-old has spent his life in Dongqing village in Jiange county, adjacent to the main stretch of the Cuiyun Corridor in Guangyuan city, Sichuan province — the world's largest artificial cypress forest. Lining the 151 kilometers of roads that crisscross the corridor are 7,803 ancient trees, with the oldest being over 2,300 years old.