Nanshan Bamboo Forest (南山竹海), located at the junction of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang provinces in Liyang, Changzhou, Jiangsu, is a remarkable destination that celebrates both bamboo culture and longevity culture. Spanning an impressive 35,000 acres of lush bamboo groves, Nanshan Bamboo Forest is a haven of natural beauty and cultural significance.
Nanshan Bamboo Forest boasts an endless expanse of bamboo, where the thickets of bamboo stand tall against the backdrop of rocky mountains, creating a magnificent and diverse landscape. The bamboo groves, consisting primarily of ma bamboo, are a sight to behold, with their sturdy and majestic presence, offering a unique and picturesque experience for visitors. Additionally, the ancient pine trees, some of which are over a thousand years old, grace the forest with their towering and awe-inspiring presence, adding an element of rarity and wonder to the surroundings.
As you explore the forest, you’ll encounter tranquil mirror-like lakes where bamboo rafts gently float. These serene lakes, surrounded by bamboo forests, glistening streams, and various bamboo-themed cottages, create an ambiance that is rustic, primal, and profoundly connected to nature. Nanshan Bamboo Forest is a place where you can immerse yourself in the essence of simplicity, originality, and unspoiled natural beauty.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Nanshan Bamboo Forest
- Vlog about Nanshan Bamboo Forest
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Other Attractions in Liyang
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | Admission: 90 RMB Admission + Round Cable Car: 170 RMB Admission + Round Ground Cable Car: 200 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-4001888588 |
Location and Transportation
Nanshan Bamboo Forest is located at 10 Lijiayuan Village, Daibu Town, Liyang City, Changzhou, Jiangsu, at the convergence point of three provinces: Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang. To get there, you can take Bus Route 109 from Liyang Bus Terminal in Liyang City and get off at the Tianmu Lake Nanshan Bamboo Forest Stop (天目湖南山竹海站).
Highlights of Nanshan Bamboo Forest
Experience the Tranquility of the Bamboo Rafts
One of the most delightful experiences in Nanshan Bamboo Forest is taking a ride on the bamboo rafts that gracefully navigate the calm waters of the serene lake. As you gently paddle, the ripples in the water create a soothing and picturesque scene. The lakeside scenery, with its vast bamboo sea stretching to the horizon, exudes an air of freshness and tranquility, making it a perfect setting for a leisurely escape. It’s truly an opportunity to feel like you’re part of a painting, as you cruise on the emerald waters, surrounded by the vast bamboo groves.
Explore Bamboo Culture at the Bamboo Culture Museum
Nanshan Bamboo Forest takes great pride in its Bamboo Culture Museum, which covers an area of approximately 4,000 square meters. The museum is divided into two main halls and features a long corridor on its western side that forms the shape of “竹”, the Chinese character for “bamboo.” Inside the exhibition halls, visitors are treated to exquisite displays of bamboo carving art and the intricate craftsmanship that brings bamboo to life. The museum focuses on showcasing fine arts such as yellow bamboo carving, Huizhou bamboo carving, Jiading bamboo carving, and Jinling bamboo carving, among other notable art forms. Of particular note, Huizhou bamboo carving, alongside Jinling and Jiading bamboo carving, is considered one of the three major regional bamboo carving styles in China.
Meet Nanshan ShouWeng: The God of Longevity
A prominent symbol of Nanshan Bamboo Forest is the statue of Nanshan ShouWeng, the God of Longevity. This iconic sculpture is characterized by its cheerful and kind expression and stands as a testament to the longevity culture of the area. The head of the statue soars to a height of 12.8 meters and is crafted entirely from pure copper. The body of ShouWeng blends seamlessly with the hillside, earning it the title of China’s largest longevity god. Behind the statue, on a decorative wall, you will find 68 different variations of “寿”, the Chinese character for “longevity”. It’s worth noting that within the entire scenic area, there are a total of 100 different fonts for the character “longevity,” with the remaining 31 fonts inscribed on the rocks on the hillside. Surrounding the statue of ShouWeng are stone-carved monkeys, arranged in groups of three, forming a lamp base. Each monkey covers its ears, eyes, or mouth, symbolizing the principle of “do not hear, do not see, do not speak” of Buddhism.
Step Back in Time at Jiming Village
Jiming Village, located at the convergence of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, is appropriately named after the crowing of roosters that can be heard in all three provinces, signifying its unique geographical location. The village boasts ancient temples from the Qing Dynasty and historic residences from the Ming Dynasty, providing visitors with a genuine sense of the simple life led by residents of these three provinces. The architecture in Jiming Village showcases a blend of styles from each province, featuring elements such as white walls, black tiles, Hui-style horsehead walls, and the charm of a typical Jiangnan riverside dwelling. The Zhejiang garden-style architecture is also tastefully integrated into the village, creating a harmonious architectural tapestry that reflects the rich cultural diversity of the region.
Vlog about Nanshan Bamboo Forest
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Transportation Recommendations: It’s advisable to take a taxi directly to Nanshan Bamboo Forest from Liyang High-Speed Railway Station. The journey is approximately 27 km, and taxi prices range from 40 to 80 yuan. Public transportation may have longer intervals, so taxis are recommended for convenience.
Avoiding Crowds and Morning Visit: Expect crowds during holidays, so it’s recommended to visit in the morning for a more peaceful experience. This is especially important as wait times for the cable car can be 1-2 hours after 10 am.
Scenic Descent via Shouxing Square: When descending from the mountain, consider walking down from Shouxing Square. This path takes you through serene spots like Jinghu (静湖), a bird paradise where you can feed pigeons, watch peacocks, and interact with parrots. The journey showcases beautiful bamboo forests, streams, and scenery.
The scenery at this attraction is quite good and it’s a nice place for a weekend stroll. However, the planning of the site is really lagging behind. After descending from the mountain, you first encounter a winding path leading to the Changshou Cultural Center, which sells various uninteresting local specialties. The paths are incredibly long, and it feels like you’re walking endlessly without reaching the end. Then you start down the designated trail, following the exit signs, but you must… Read more »
We took the sightseeing train, and the speed was really fast going up and down! We got to see the giant pandas!! Huali and Xing’an, the two big babies, were so adorable! They were just sleeping the whole time, even drooling, haha! We rode the cable car down the mountain! It’s really spectacular to see so many “mountains” in Jiangsu. We even bumped into a peacock that ran out by the roadside! It wasn’t scared of people at all… it… Read more »
We arrived at Nanshan Bamboo Sea at 10 AM and left at 2 PM, which was just the right amount of time. The experience of bringing our dog along was quite enjoyable!
Route: Scenic area entrance > Quiet Lake Square (静湖广场) > Longevity Star Square (寿星广场) > First Peak of Wu and Yue (吴越第一峰), then return along the same path. The route is easy to recognize since it is a tourist area, with signage everywhere. The paths are all paved and very easy to walk on. Additionally, there are vendors selling water throughout the area, and restrooms are available at regular intervals. The only downside is that it can get a bit… Read more »
I just returned from Nanshan Bamboo Sea in Liyang, and it was truly an amazing experience!
Floating on a bamboo raft through the picturesque mountains and waters, everything was lush and green. I also enjoyed creek walking, saw pandas, and spotted some adorable little birds.
I relaxed at the Bamboo Valley Hotel, surrounded by bamboo forests, soaking in the hot springs and unwinding peacefully.
Departing from Changzhou, it takes a little over an hour by car to reach the destination. For those who want to see the pandas, it is recommended to choose the cable car round trip. The aerial ropeway leads to Wuyue Peak. If you prefer not to climb the mountain, you can opt for the small train round trip.
Climbing down from the Bamboo Sea in Nanshan Mountain in Liyang, I could barely bend my legs. But playing in the water was refreshing and perfect for a summer visit. It rained halfway through, but the air became crisp and fresh!
When I went there today, it was really hot. Even though it was the weekend, there were not many people because we avoided the holiday crowd. The wait for the small train was only 5 minutes, and the cable car was about 10 minutes. Don’t miss the lion dance performance, it was really good! I bought a one-way ticket for the small train to go up the mountain and walked down myself. This way, I could enjoy the beautiful scenery… Read more »
It’s not just the tickets you need to buy, but also various transportation fees… A small train ride (20 yuan, quite enjoyable), a cable car ride (80 yuan for two minutes), a ropeway ride (80 yuan), and the entrance fee (90 yuan). We didn’t even get to see the so-called sceneries, and the most frustrating part was having to wait in line!!! To visit the panda enclosure, you must take the cable car up, there’s no other option. It felt… Read more »
– In the mountains, there are more mosquitoes, so remember to bring insect repellent. – There are plenty of food and drink options in the scenic area, so you don’t need to carry too much, but pay attention to the value for money. – Try to arrive early to avoid the crowds. On weekends and holidays, there are long queues at every point along the way. It is recommended to visit during the off-peak season to enhance the experience. –… Read more »