Shunan Bamboo Forest

    Name in Chinese: 蜀南竹海  Shǔ Nán Zhú Hǎi  [su: næ dzu: hai]

    Duration of Tour: Eight Hours

    Location: Changning County, Yibin, Sichuan Province

    Highlights: Photography and Hiking in the Vast and Tranquil Bamboo Forest

    Must-see Sightseeing Spots: the Worry-free Gorge, the Jadeite Corridor, Tianbao Village, Qicai Waterfall, the Green Dragon Lake

    Reputation: A National Four-star Scenic Area, One of the Top 10 National Forest Park in China, One of the 40 Best Tourist Destinations in China, A Nature Reserve Certified by the Green Global 21.

    Shunan Bamboo Forest is located in Changning County, Yibin Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is about 330 km(205 miles) to the south of Chengdu, taking around 4 hours to get to its entrance from Chengdu by a car. The immense bamboo forest covers an area of 120 square kilometers(46 sq.mi). Its altitude ranges from 600 meters(1,969 feet) to 1,000 meters(3281 feet) above sea level. Shunan Bamboo Forest comprises 27 ridges and 500 hills which are all covered by verdant bamboo groves. Its vegetation coverage rate is 92.4 percent. More than 400 species of bamboo plants grow in the virgin forest. The most famous ones include Ci Bamboo, Mian Bamboo and the Xiangfei Bamboo(the Mottled Bamboo). The whole scenic area consists of 134 sightseeing spots. It is a combination of various landscapes, including verdant virgin forest, mirror-like lakes and gorgeous waterfalls. The climate in Shunan Bamboo Forest is comfortably cool. It is a wonderful place for people to escape from summer heat.

    The Worry-free Gorge

    The Worry-free Gorge lies in the south part of the forest. A brook flows through the gorge. Standing out from the water, rocks are shrouded by moss. orchids grow nearby. A path is sheltered by the bamboo groves. Walking along the tranquil path, visitors could hear birds singing and the brook murmuring. It is just a place where people can relieve themselves of great pressures.

    The Jadeite Corridor

    The Jadeite Corridor is a path paved with red sandstone and flanked by bamboo groves. It is an ideal place for taking photographs.

    Tianbao Village

    Tianbao Village was built in 1862. It used to be a fortress of the Qing’s government armed forces. Standing on a cliff, the old fortress is 1.5 kilometers(4921 feet) long, 10 meters(33 feet) wide and 20 meters(66 feet) high.

    The Green Dragon Lake

    Covering an area of 3 square kilometers(741 acres), the Green Dragon Lake is the largest one in the forest. It lies at the foot of Chaqi Mountain. Its shape looks like a green dragon. The lake embraces two islets. Undoubtedly, photographers must be enchanted with gorgeous water reflection.

    Qicai Waterfall

    Qicai means seven colors in English. The waterfall cascades down from Huilong Bridge. It is a 200-meter(or 656-foot) drop.

    Travel Tips:

    How to Get to Shunan Bamboo Forest

    Shunan Bamboo Forest is located in the south part of Sichuan Province. Shu refers to Sichuan, and Nan means south. The distance between Chengdu and the forest is about 330 km(205 miles). It takes around 4 hours to get to the forest from Chengdu by a car.

    How to Visit Shunan Bamboo Forest

    The scenic area is quite large. Visitors usually drive to the entrance, then take shuttle buses to visit the must-see sightseeing spots one by one. The recommended route is in the following:

    Take the shuttle bus at the Western Gate to the Worry-free Gorge, pay a visit to both the gorge and the Bamboo Museum.

    Then take the bus to the Zhuhai Cable-car Station. Zhuhai means bamboo forest in English. Take the cable car to Guanhai Tower. Guanhai means overlooking the bamboo forest.

    Walk to the Jadeite Corridor, then take the bus to the Grand Gorge Cable-car Station, Visit Tianbao Village and the Fairy Maiden Lake.

    Ride the bus to visit the Green Dragon Lake and Qicai Waterfall.

    Weather

    The temperature in Yibin Prefecture ranges from 9℃(48.2°F) to 16℃(60.8°F) in spring, 20℃(68°F) to 29℃(84.2°F) in summer, 24℃(75.2°F) to 32℃(89.6°F) in autumn and 13℃(55.4°F) to 18℃(64.4°F) in winter. The best time to visit Shunan Bamboo Forest is between May and August.

    Recommended Tour:

    Four Days Southern Sichuan Ecological and Cultural Exploring Tour

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    Yibin Travel Guide

Author: Tina Luo

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