Shunan Bamboo Forest (Shunnan Zhuhai)

Overview
Located in the border of Changning and Jiang'an, around 70km southeast of Yibin via Changning, the extraordinary South Sichuan Bamboo Sea covers an area of 120sqkm of mountain slopes at an elevation from 600 to 1000m. In its central region, more than 5000 hectares of bamboo shelters 28 ridges and peaks, with many cultural relics and historic sites screened by the feathery green tufts. There are Bamboo Sea Museum, old folk residences on Mount Xijia and fish fossils. It is a comparatively big primeval ecological bamboo forest combining mountains, rivers, karst caves, lakes and falls with artificial scenes of long history.

The slopes within the Bamboo Sea are surprisingly dark, with the tall, slender trunks reaching up 10m or more. Paths lead into the forest, an unusual walk given such a large expanse of just the one type of plant. For the best views of the "sea", however, climb the hills above to a scattering of temples, from where the bowed tips of bamboo ripple in waves as breezes sweep the slopes. The best of the shrines is the Buddhist-Taoist Feiyun Dong , which contains some really grotesque Ming-dynasty sculptures.

Highlights
In Chinese culture, bamboo is one of the most common elements in art and literature. Especially for ancient artists, bamboo was praised in their paintings, calligraphy and poetry as a symbol of uprightness, modesty and loyalty. The magnificent bamboo sea in Yibin has been a popular traveling place since ancient times. Besides bamboo, its mountains and rivers, lakes, countless streams and ancient temples also make it one of the best places in China to visit.

Information
Location: Located in the border of Changning and Jiang'an, around 70km southeast of Yibin via Changning
Opening Time: 09:00-17:00
Ticket Price: CNY100 per person (peak season); CNY60 per person (off season)
Time for visiting: 1 day
Transportation:
It's about 330km from Chengdu to Shunan Zhuhai. Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station has direct buses to the west gate of the Bamboo Sea at 9:20 & 15:30 every day (Y95, 3hrs). The Alternative is to take a bus from Chengdu / Chongqing to Yibin first, then travel from Yibin to the Bamboo Sea via Changning, Buses run high frequently between these places.

For moving on, take a bus back to Yibin first. Yibin Beimen station handles traffic to Chongqing, Chengdu and Zigong; for regional sights, catch a city bus from beside Daguan Lou south over the river to Nan'an bus station (15min; Y1), from where early morning services to the Bamboo forest and Gongxian depart. Ferries to Luzhou and Chongqing leave daily from the docks on the eastern side of town.