Shunan Bamboo Forest in Yibin

Shunan Bamboo Forest in Yibin

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Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea (蜀南竹海旅游度假区), also known as Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea (Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea), is located in Changning County (长宁县) of Yibin City (宜宾市), Sichuan Province (四川省). Covering an area of 10.2 square kilometers, it is renowned for its vast bamboo forests, scenic beauty, and rich biodiversity. The area serves as a perfect retreat for nature lovers, with its lush landscapes, mild climate, and numerous cultural and natural attractions.

Overview of Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea

The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea is a major scenic and tourist attraction, often referred to as the largest natural bamboo forest in the world. The forest features dense bamboo groves and a landscape dotted with peaks, valleys, and streams, making it an ideal destination for relaxation, nature walks, and cultural exploration. The area boasts a rich blend of natural scenery and historical landmarks, including Bamboo Sea Museum (竹海博物馆), Hua Creek Thirteen Bridges (花溪十三桥), and Emerald Corridor (翡翠长廊), among others.

Key Highlights

Bamboo Sea Museum (竹海博物馆) showcases the local bamboo culture and the importance of bamboo in the region’s ecosystem and economy.

Hua Creek Thirteen Bridges (花溪十三桥) offers scenic views along a peaceful creek lined with thirteen picturesque bridges.

Seven-Colored Waterfall (七彩飞瀑) is a beautiful waterfall that adds a dramatic touch to the landscape.

Tianbao Zhai (天宝寨) is a cultural heritage site located on one of the highest peaks of the bamboo forest.

Fairy Cave (仙寓洞) features a mysterious cave known for its unique stalactites and stalagmites.

In addition to its natural wonders, Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea is also home to Century Bamboo Garden (世纪竹园), which holds the largest collection of bamboo species in the world.

History of Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea

The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea opened to the public in the 1990s. In 1999, the Yibin Municipal Government (宜宾市政府) launched an initiative to develop tourism in the area, aiming to make the bamboo sea a key pillar of the local economy. In 2019, the creation of the National Tourism Resort Area (国家级旅游度假区) was formally approved, further bolstering the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Milestones:

1999: Yibin’s strategic vision for developing tourism centered around the bamboo forest.

2019: The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea became a designated National Tourism Resort Area.

2022: Approved as a National Health and Wellness Tourism Base (全国康养旅游基地), marking its growing reputation as a wellness destination.

Geography and Climate

Location and Terrain

The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea is located in the southern part of Sichuan Province (四川省), at the junction of the Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou (川滇黔) provinces. The terrain is characterized by mountainous landscapes, with peaks that reach 1,000 meters in height. The highest point is Tianhuang Temple (天皇寺), located at an altitude of 1,000.2 meters.

Climate

The climate in Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea is classified as subtropical monsoon, with distinct seasons:

Annual Average Temperature: 15.5°C.

Humidity: The area experiences high relative humidity throughout the year, often exceeding 83%.

The region benefits from mild temperatures, with winter temperatures rarely falling below 0°C and summer temperatures not exceeding 30°C.

Hydrology

The area is part of the Yangtze River (长江) watershed, with numerous small streams flowing through the bamboo forest. Notable water features include Jiulong Mountain (九龙山) and Shilong Di (石龙堤), which divide the streams into different tributaries feeding into the Changning River (长宁河).

Flora and Fauna

Plant Resources

The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea is home to over 427 species of bamboo (竹类), including rare and endemic species. The Century Bamboo Garden (世纪竹园) houses a collection of 369 bamboo species from around the world, making it the largest bamboo ecological garden and gene bank.

Notable Plants:

Nanmu (楠木) – a valuable tree known for its wood.

Red Bean (红豆) and Cinnamomum (香樟) – rare trees found in the region.

Tianma (天麻) – a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Animal Resources

The reserve is rich in wildlife, including numerous endangered species such as:

Cloud Leopard (云豹)

Pangolin (穿山甲)

Water Civet (水懒)

Golden Eagle (金雕)

White-bellied Pheasant (白腹锦鸡)

Birdlife

The forest is a haven for birdwatchers, with species such as the Golden Pheasant (金鸡), Blood Pheasant (血雉), and Mountain Eagle (山鹰) among the notable residents.

Insect Life

The region is also home to a diverse range of insect species, including frogs (蛙类) and other amphibians that thrive in the moist environment.

Environmental and Ecological Importance

The Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea plays a critical role in preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance in the region. With its dense bamboo forests, the area acts as a carbon sink, contributing to the overall health of the environment.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts to conserve the forest and its wildlife have been ongoing, with measures in place to protect the Giant Panda’s (大熊猫) habitat, as well as other endangered species. The reserve is considered an important site for research in bamboo ecology and wildlife conservation.

Important Attractions

Colorful Waterfall (七彩飞瀑)

Located between Shigu Mountain (石鼓山) and Shiluo Mountain (石锣山) in Hulu Valley (葫芦谷), the Colorful Waterfall consists of four levels, cascading down nearly 200 meters. The waterfall is especially beautiful on sunny days, where rainbows can be seen under the bright sunlight.

Qinglong Lake (青龙湖)

Originally known as Dayanba Reservoir (大堰坝水库), Qinglong Lake was built in 1958 for agricultural irrigation. Over time, it transformed into a drinking water source.

Emerald Corridor (翡翠长廊)

The Emerald Corridor is a stunning path through the bamboo forest, lined with dense old bamboo arches. The red sandstone pathway contrasts beautifully with the green bamboo, creating a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere.

Fairy Cave (仙寓洞)

Located on a cliff, Fairy Cave is a natural rock chamber with a length of about 500 meters. The cave offers panoramic views of the Bamboo Sea Gorge (竹海大峡谷), creating an awe-inspiring experience for visitors.

Wanling Town (万岭小镇)

Wanling Town features several scenic spots where Mo Creek (墨溪), Worry-Free Valley (忘忧谷), and Flower Bamboo Creek (花竹溪) converge. The town also offers traditional Sichuan-style guesthouses like Shunan Elegant Residence (蜀南雅居) and Purple Bamboo Villa (紫竹山庄).

Bamboo Sea Museum (竹海博物馆)

The Bamboo Sea Museum showcases bamboo culture, including collections of bamboo weaving, bamboo sculptures, and famous works such as the “Qingming Riverside Scene” (清明上河图) and “Hundred Emperors” (百帝图).

Hua Creek Thirteen Bridges (花溪十三桥)

Located at the eastern end of the scenic area in Wanli Town (万里镇), Hua Creek Thirteen Bridges is a collection of thirteen bridges built during the Ming (明) and Qing (清) Dynasties. The bridges are named with unique titles such as Daughter’s Bridge (女儿桥) and Scholar’s Bridge (状元桥).

Sea in the Sea (海中海)

Sea in the Sea is a lake formed by a dam in a low valley. It is a famous filming location for the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (卧虎藏龙). Visitors can enjoy bamboo forest paths, wire slides, and bamboo rafting here.

Resort Village (度假村)

Yongjiang Village (永江村) is located in the southern part of the Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea resort area. It is known for its hot spring resorts and tranquil village atmosphere, offering various accommodation options like resorts and guesthouses.

Cultural Activities

Folk Performances

In the Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea, various folk cultural performances highlight the use of bamboo in traditional life. These include Bamboo Pole Dance (竹竿舞), Ox Lamp Dance (牛灯舞), Flower Boat (花船), Dragon Dance (舞龙), and Car Lanterns (车灯), all of which showcase the region’s rich bamboo culture.

Festivals

Bamboo Food Festival (竹海美食节)

The Bamboo Food Festival offers visitors the chance to taste a variety of bamboo-based dishes and enjoy recreational activities for all ages.

Spring Bamboo Shoot Festival (春笋节)

During spring, the Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea celebrates the Spring Bamboo Shoot Festival, where visitors can hear the sound of bamboo shoots growing and enjoy fresh bamboo dishes such as Bamboo Tube Rice (竹筒饭) and the All-Bamboo Feast (全竹宴).

Dragon Boat Festival (龙舟节)

The Dragon Boat Festival features local dragon boat races and traditional food, including the All-Bamboo Feast made with ingredients sourced from the mountains.

Beer Music Festival (啤酒音乐节)

Held every July, the Beer Music Festival includes performances like laser shows, rock music, and traditional Chinese dance, creating an exciting atmosphere for visitors.

Dining

All-Bamboo Feast (全竹宴)

The All-Bamboo Feast is a highlight of the region’s culinary offerings. The feast includes over 100 bamboo-based dishes, such as bamboo shoots, bamboo fungi, bamboo rice, and bamboo wine. It is also known as the Panda Feast (熊猫宴席), celebrating the symbiotic relationship between bamboo and giant pandas.

Local Specialty – Yibin Burnt Noodles (宜宾燃面)

Yibin Burnt Noodles is a traditional snack from Yibin (宜宾) made with local wheat noodles, fresh vegetables, and a variety of spices. The noodles are fried and served with chili oil and sesame for a bold flavor.

Legends and Stories

Ghost Orchid Legend (幽兰传说)

According to legend, during the Northern Song Dynasty (北宋), the calligrapher Huang Tingjian (黄庭坚) visited Longyin Temple (龙吟寺) and encountered a mysterious woman who vanished after he accidentally spilled ink on her. The woman was believed to be transformed from the Ghost Orchid (幽兰), a fragrant flower found in the bamboo forest.

Mo Creek Legend (墨溪传说)

Another legend tells of Huang Tingjian (黄庭坚) writing the characters “Wanling Jing” (万岭菁) with a bamboo brush, accidentally dropping the ink into Mo Creek (墨溪), turning the water black. The true reason for the black water is the presence of dark-colored lichen growing on the rocks.

Cultural Works

“The bamboo shadows cool the roof beams, this sound can be heard but not passed on.” (宋·黄庭坚《葛氏竹林留别》)

Transportation Information

Buses from Yibin City (宜宾市) depart daily from Yibin West Bus Station (宜宾西站) to the Shunan Bamboo Forest Sea (蜀南竹海). There are four buses each day.