Known as "the world's most magnificent expanse of green," the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea lies in Yibin, southern Sichuan. It has mild winters, cool summers and a pleasant climate. The scenic area spans about 120 square kilometers, with a core area of 45 square kilometers and eight major attractions. It is a destination for eco-tourism and leisure along southern Sichuan's Golden Tourism Route.

The Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea consists of 27 rugged ridges and more than 500 peaks. The scenic area has a forest coverage rate of 92.4%, with bamboo groves covering more than 46 square kilometers and 485 bamboo species. It lies at elevations of 600-1,002 meters and has an average annual temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. The average concentration of negative air ions is 26,000 per cubic centimeter, reaching as high as 100,000. It is China's largest pristine "Green Bamboo Park," bringing together bamboo scenery, mountains and rivers, caves, lakes, waterfalls and Danxia landforms.

Main Attractions

Sea within the Bamboo Sea:

A low-lying valley in the bamboo-covered mountains, this area was dammed to form a lake covering about 60 mu (4 hectares). Vast and open, the lake resembles a "sea" amidst the endless sea of bamboo, giving the spot its name. It was a filming location for the classic martial arts film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which won four Academy Awards, including the award for Best Foreign Language Film, out of 10 nominations. Together with natural lakes such as Qinglong (Green Dragon) Lake and Xiannv (Fairy) Lake, it forms part of a natural landscape in which lakes dot the mountains from summit to foot, with mountains and water interwoven and bamboo growing throughout.

Thirteen Bridges on Huaxi Stream: 

Located in the northern part of the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea, this walking trail is known for its mountain village scenery. Huaxi was formerly known as the Liaoshui River. Dense bamboo groves and scattered farmhouses line its banks, while the stream winds through the valley, its clear water murmuring as it flows. In the woods beside the stream, wildflowers bloom with a delicate fragrance, while lush green bamboo provides deep shade.

Homes dot the banks, connected by small bridges—along the roughly 1-kilometer stretch of stream, there are as many as 13 stone bridges, in addition to bamboo and wooden bridges. Eight of the stone bridges date to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Qinglong Lake (Green Dragon Lake): 

The lake's water is jade green, and the lake itself is shaped like a dragon, with its scales and claws clearly defined—hence the name "Green Dragon Lake." The lake is home to many fish. Its rounded islets and the surrounding green mountains complement one another, creating the image of a green dragon offering a pearl. Bamboo shades the lake, and the two rounded islets at its center are covered in lush green bamboo. The lake and mountain scenery form a sweeping expanse of green.

Seven-Colored Flying Waterfall: 

This is the most spectacular waterfall group in the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea. The waterfalls cascade down a total height of about 200 meters in four tiers, with the third tier being the most impressive at 40 meters high and 4 meters wide. Water plunges down, sending clouds of mist billowing upward.

Around noon on sunny days, sunlight passing through the mist creates seven-colored halos and a brilliant rainbow, producing a magnificent and spectacular sight. This is how the waterfall got its name.

Bamboo Tip Walk:

The main boardwalk stretches about 1.7 kilometers, winding through the bamboo forest and offering close-up views of Moso bamboo as visitors experience walking among the bamboo tops. From here, visitors can take in the wave-like expanse of bamboo forest as well as the distant landscape of mountains, rivers and farmland.

Longyin Temple (Dragon's Chant Temple): 

The temple stands on Jiulong Mountain, at an elevation of 980 meters. Jiulong Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, which seem small by comparison. Here, green waves of bamboo roll across the landscape, stretching to the horizon. The wind sweeps through the forest, setting the bamboo rustling like the chant of a dragon, while the vast expanse of bamboo stretches as far as the eye can see.

Emerald Corridor:

The path is paved with natural red sandstone and measures 480 meters long and 6.5 meters wide. Dense stands of mature bamboo and young shoots line both sides, their interlocking canopies blocking out the sky.

Local Delicacies

A visit to the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea would not be complete without trying its local intangible cultural heritage specialty, the Bamboo Feast. Centered on bamboo-based ingredients such as bamboo shoots, bamboo fungus and other bamboo fungi, this banquet is served in bamboo utensils. It truly lives up to the saying, "Bamboo fills the table; without bamboo, there is no feast."

(Photo courtesy of the Southern Sichuan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area)