In a remarkable discovery blending nature, history, and endurance, Guinness World Records has officially recognize a 416-year-old grape vine in Tibet as the world’s oldest living grape vine. The vine, located in Gyirong County, near the China-Nepal border, has stunned botanists and historians alike with its incredible longevity and continued fruit-bearing capacity.
According to local records and genetic analysis, the vine was first planted during the late Ming Dynasty (around 1609) and has survived centuries of extreme weather conditions, political changes, and modernize — still producing healthy clusters of grapes every harvest season.
Standing proudly at nearly three meters tall with a base trunk circumference of over 90 cms, the ancient vine’s roots run deep into the Himalayan soil, drawing nutrients from one of the world’s most pristine environments.
Experts from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences conducted age verification through tree-ring dating and historical lineage tracing, confirming its authenticity before Guinness World Records validated the claim.
Dr Lobsang Tsering, an agricultural scientist from Tibet University, said:
“This vine is a living link to the past — a biological testament to sustainability and resilience in one of the world’s toughest environments. It shows how traditional agricultural practices have preserved biodiversity across centuries.”
The discovery has also sparked local tourism interest, with Gyirong County planning to develop a “Living Heritage Vineyard Trail” to educate visitors on ancient Tibetan viticulture and sustainable farming.
With this recognition, Tibet not only secures a spot in the Guinness World Records but also highlights its deep-rooted harmony between culture, nature, and endurance — proving that even at 4,000 meters above sea level, life can thrive for centuries.
