Full Bamboo Feast + Adorable Pandas
Average temperature 25°C! A 70,000-mu martial arts wonderland of lush bamboo—A 2-day, 1-night guide to Shunan Bamboo Sea (includes September 27 Bamboo Marathon guide)
Hello travelers, I'm your old friend from the ancient towns. After traveling for so many years, if there's one place I feel "once is never enough," it must be Shunan Bamboo Sea.
Many people know Yibin for Wuliangye, but few know that at the border of Changning and Jiang'an lies a green ocean of over 70,000 mu of lush bamboo, covering 120 square kilometers. It is the world's largest concentrated natural bamboo forest scenic area, with a vegetation coverage rate of 92.4% and a negative oxygen ion concentration of 30,223 per cubic centimeter. In September, the summer heat in Shunan Bamboo Sea fades, the greenery remains, and on September 27, the "2026 Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Half Marathon" will kick off with 10,000 runners—run through the bamboo sea, enjoy a full bamboo feast, and see giant pandas, all in one trip.
In a nutshell: If "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is a martial arts dream on screen, then Shunan Bamboo Sea is a living, breathing world of martial arts you can step into yourself.
🚗 Transport: Driving is the best choice, high-speed rail is also an option
· Self-drive (highly recommended): From Chengdu, take Chengyi Expressway → Yuxu Expressway, navigate to "Shunan Bamboo Sea West Gate Visitor Center," about 3.5 hours total, free parking in the scenic area. Only 40 minutes from Yibin city center. The area is huge, so driving is best for hopping between spots.
· High-speed rail + shuttle: Take high-speed rail to Yibin West Station, then take the scenic shuttle from the South Bank Bus Station (about 1 hour); or transfer to Changning Station (closer to the scenic area), then take a taxi (about 30–40 minutes).
🎫 Tickets & Sightseeing Bus (2026 update)
· Entrance ticket: Peak season (January–October) CNY 100/person, half-price (CNY 50) for students/ages 60–65, free for ages 65+ and children under 1.2 meters. Online booking 1 day in advance is about CNY 95. Tickets are valid for re-entry within 3 days.
· Sightseeing bus: A must-buy. CNY 55/person, unlimited rides for 3 days. There are 12 stops in the scenic area covering major attractions, with departures every 15 minutes.
· Special offer: Free admission all year for visitors born in the Year of the Horse or with the surname "Ma" upon presenting ID.
📅 3 reasons to visit Shunan Bamboo Sea in September
Reason 1: 10,000-person Bamboo Marathon, run into the martial arts world—On September 27, the "2026 Changning Shunan Bamboo Sea Half Marathon" begins. 10,000 participants. The route starts at Changning Station, passing through High-Speed Rail Avenue → Nanzhu Road → Zhuhai Avenue → World Bamboo Landscape Avenue, ending at Zhuhai Town. Registration fee CNY 120/person, registration from July 6 to August 21, first come, first served. After the run, show your bib for exclusive scenic area perks—running into a natural oxygen bar is worth it.
Reason 2: Crisp autumn air, greenery remains—Average temperature in September is around 25°C, saying goodbye to the summer heat, with cool breezes in the bamboo forest. High negative oxygen ion levels, perfect for a lung-cleansing trip.
Reason 3: Panda babies waiting for you—In September 2025, four giant pandas ("Jin Ke," "Fan Xing," "Qi Lin," "Ping Ping") officially moved into the China Giant Panda Garden, covering 71.48 mu. Visiting in September coincides with the giant panda birthday season; watch the national treasures eat bamboo shoots and roll around in the bamboo sea.
🗺️ 2-day, 1-night essential itinerary (relaxed and easy, personally tested version)
Day 1: West Gate entry → Emerald Corridor → Guanhai Tower → Sea within a Sea (filming location for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") → Colorful Waterfall
Enter from the West Gate in the morning, take the sightseeing bus straight to the Emerald Corridor—the most essential landscape of the bamboo sea. The red natural sandstone road and the canopy of bamboo form a natural green tunnel. Sunlight filters through the bamboo leaves, creating dappled shadows—perfect for martial arts-style photos.
Next, go to Guanhai Tower to overlook the 70,000-mu bamboo sea. Lunch: Full Bamboo Feast (details below).
Afternoon: Head to Sea within a Sea—the classic filming location for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"! Originally a natural lake of about 60 mu formed by damming a mountain valley. A small bamboo island divides the lake. Must-do: Rent a bamboo raft (about CNY 148/raft) to the center of the lake; or wear traditional costumes and experience "wire-flying" (wuxia style), flying over the bamboo tips and skimming the water.
Evening: Go to Colorful Waterfall—the waterfall group with the largest drop in the bamboo sea, with a total drop of nearly 200 meters across four levels. If you're lucky, you might spot a rainbow. ⚠️ Note: As of the end of August 2026, some areas of Xianyu Cave, Tianbao Village, and Colorful Waterfall are closed for maintenance. Be sure to check the latest opening announcements before you go.
Stay overnight in a homestay in the scenic area, wake up to the bamboo sea, and sleep to the sound of bamboo waves.
Day 2: Wangyou Valley → China Giant Panda Garden → Return
Morning: Wangyou Valley—babbling brooks, swaying bamboo, step in the water and listen to birds, soak your feet in the cool stream. Then head to the China Giant Panda Garden to see the four giant pandas playing in their new home. Return in the afternoon.
🍜 Taste of Shunan Bamboo Sea (Full Bamboo Feast, CNY 60–80 per person)
Coming to the bamboo sea without eating a full bamboo feast is a wasted trip. Every dish on the table is related to bamboo:
· Full Bamboo Feast (Panda Feast): Bamboo shoots (3 ways) + bamboo fungus + bamboo fungus eggs + bamboo rice + bamboo wine + bamboo leaf tea, about CNY 60/person
· Bamboo rice: Sticky rice roasted in bamboo tubes, fragrant and soft with a bamboo aroma, about CNY 15/serving
· Bamboo fungus chicken soup/bamboo fungus meatball soup: Fresh and nourishing
· Bamboo embryo, bamboo bird's nest with stir-fried eggs, Kung Pao bamboo embryo: Specialty dishes with unique textures
· Recommended restaurants: Qixian Pavilion Hot Spring Hotel (near Colorful Waterfall, CNY 70/person), Longyin Villa, Zhuye · Shang Old Brand Full Bamboo Feast
🏠 Accommodation: Stay in the scenery
Highly recommend staying inside the scenic area. Wake up to the bamboo sea and clouds, sleep to the sound of bamboo waves.
· Budget homestays: CNY 200–400/night, operated by villagers in the scenic area
· Boutique homestays: Yuechu Jinxiu Homestay (Wangyou Valley branch), Xitang Private Hot Spring Homestay, Yunyingu Private Hot Spring Homestay
· High-end resorts: Zhuan Yinsuo (surrounded by the lake on three sides, backed by green mountains)
· ⚠️ Note: Rooms are tight during the Bamboo Marathon on September 27, be sure to book in advance.
💡 Practical Tips (Must-read to avoid pitfalls)
1. Best time: September average temperature 25°C, crisp autumn air, greenery remains. May–October is peak season.
2. Clothing: Wear non-slip sports shoes (mountain roads are slippery); bring a light jacket (temperature difference between day and night); mosquito repellent is a must (lots of bugs in the bamboo forest); sunscreen + hat (strong UV rays).
3. Driving reminder: Free parking in the scenic area; charge electric vehicles in advance (some charging piles may be unavailable).
4. Latest updates: Xianyu Cave and Tianbao Village are currently closed for maintenance, and some areas of Colorful Waterfall may be closed. Check the latest opening announcements before traveling.
5. Marathon reminder: Traffic control may be in place around the scenic area on the day of the marathon (September 27), plan your itinerary in advance.
6. Budget: CNY 500–800 per person for 2 days and 1 night (including tickets, sightseeing bus, accommodation, meals) is sufficient.
This 70,000-mu ocean of lush bamboo hidden in the mountains of southern Sichuan has no crowds, only the martial arts atmosphere of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," fresh air bursting with negative oxygen ions, a full bamboo feast you can't finish, and four adorable giant pandas. In September, Shunan Bamboo Sea has crisp autumn air, the Bamboo Marathon is starting, and the pandas are at their cutest—take advantage of the best season to step into your own green martial arts world!