Nanshan Bamboo Sea
A Visitor's Guide to Nanshan Bamboo Sea, Changzhou
Nestled not far from the scenic Tianmu Lake in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, lies the breathtaking Nanshan Bamboo Sea (南山竹海). This expansive forest, covering thousands of acres, presents a mesmerizing, endless expanse of emerald green. The very essence of resilience and vitality is captured here as sturdy bamboo shoots defiantly pierce through rocky crevices, creating a landscape of profound and majestic beauty.
When to Visit: Seasonal Charms * Summer (The Ideal Season): The forest is at its most vibrant during the summer months. The bamboo groves are lush, dense, and incredibly verdant, forming a natural, cool canopy that offers a perfect retreat from the intense heat. This is unequivocally the best time to experience the bamboo sea's full, refreshing splendor. * Other Seasons: While the scenery remains pleasant in spring and autumn, it may lack the intense, overwhelming greenery of peak summer. Winter, however, presents its own unique allure. Visitors during this season are rewarded with a serene, monochromatic landscape where snow delicately clings to the bamboo leaves, transforming the forest into a tranquil, frosty wonderland.
The Nanshan Experience: Landscape and Amenities The Nanshan Bamboo Sea draws favorable comparisons to other renowned bamboo forests in China, such as the one in Anji. What sets it apart is its exceptional organization. Despite the scale of the park and the range of facilities and services available for visitors, everything operates with remarkable efficiency and order. The development has been carefully managed to complement, rather than overwhelm, the natural surroundings, ensuring an immersive and hassle-free experience.
Navigating the Forest: Transportation Within the Park * On Foot (The Recommended Way): To truly connect with the tranquility and capture the most intimate views and photographs, exploring the bamboo sea on foot is highly recommended. Meandering along the well-maintained paths allows you to appreciate the subtle sounds, light, and atmosphere of the forest at your own pace. Be advised, however, that this approach requires a moderate level of physical fitness due to the park's vast area and some gentle slopes. * Assisted Transport (For Convenience): For those seeking to conserve energy or cover longer distances more quickly, the park offers several paid transportation options. These include a cable car (架空索道), a mini train (小火车), and a ground rail cable car (地轨). While these services are convenient and provide unique vantage points (especially the cable car for panoramic views), it is important to note that they come at an additional cost, which can be significant depending on the combination of services chosen.
Essential Visitor Information
Getting There: * By Public Bus: From the Liyang Long-distance Bus Station, take Bus 109 directly to the Nanshan Bamboo Sea Station. The entrance is a short walk from the bus stop. * By Car: * From Shanghai: Take the Huning Expressway (沪宁高速) → Wuxi North → Xiyi Expressway (锡宜高速) → Ninghang Expressway (宁杭高速). Exit at Liyang South, turn left towards Tianmu Lake Scenic Area, and follow signs to Nanshan Bamboo Sea. The total distance is approximately 240 km, taking about 3 hours. * From Suzhou: Take the Huning Expressway (沪宁高速) → Wuxi North → Xiyi Expressway (锡宜高速) → Ninghang Expressway (宁杭高速). Exit at Liyang South, turn left towards Tianmu Lake Scenic Area, and proceed to Nanshan Bamboo Sea. The journey is about 150 km, or roughly 2 hours.
Ticketing and Fees: Ticket prices vary between same-day purchase and advance booking (one day prior). All prices are in Chinese Yuan (RMB).
Same-Day Tickets:
- Adult Ticket: 90
- Child Ticket (1.4m - 1.5m): 45
- Student Ticket (with valid ID): 45
- Senior Ticket (60-69 years with ID): 45
- Combo: Ticket + Round-trip Cable Car: 170
- Combo: Ticket + One-way Mini Train + Round-trip Cable Car + Ground Rail: 280
- Combo: Ticket + One-way Mini Train: 105
Advance Purchase Tickets (One Day Prior):
- Adult Ticket: 80
- Child Ticket (1.4m - 1.5m): 45
- Student Ticket (with valid ID): 45
- Senior Ticket (60-69 years with ID): 45
- Combo: Ticket + Round-trip Cable Car: 160
- Combo: Ticket + One-way Mini Train + Round-trip Cable Car + Ground Rail: 235
- Combo: Ticket + One-way Mini Train: 95
Important Notes on Concessions:
- Seniors: Visitors aged 60-69 enjoy a 50% discount on the main entrance ticket upon presenting ID. Those aged 70 and above are granted free main entrance admission. Additional paid services within the park are not discounted for these groups.
- Children: Children under 1.4m in height receive free main entrance admission. Those between 1.4m and 1.5m qualify for the child concession price (45 RMB). Those over 1.5m require a full-price ticket. For internal park services (like transport), children under 1.2m ride free, those between 1.2m-1.5m get a 50% discount, and those over 1.5m pay full price.
Opening Hours: * June 1st - August 31st: 08:30 - 17:30 (Last entry at 16:30) * December 1st - February 28/29th: 08:30 - 17:30 (Last entry at 16:00)
Contact: For inquiries, you can reach out via: 400-188-8588
Suggested Visit Duration: A minimum of 3 hours is recommended to enjoy a basic walk through the forest. To experience the park more comprehensively, including using some internal transport to reach farther viewpoints, allocating 4 to 6 hours is advisable.
Information last updated: July 9, 2023. Credits to contributors Liang Dan and Tang Wenli.