Yixing Bamboo Sea (Zhuhai)

The Yixing Bamboo Sea Scenic Area is a national forest park covering several valleys and ridges in the low hills southwest of the city, where thick groves of mao bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) create a dense, cathedral-like landscape. The main entrance area has walking trails of varying length, from short loops to several-hour hikes that climb into the more remote sections.

Several Buddhist temples sit within the bamboo forest, some active and some partially ruined, and the combination of religious site and ancient woodland gives the place a contemplative atmosphere. The forest is genuinely quiet on weekdays outside school holidays. The best time to visit is spring, when the bamboo shoots (available to eat in nearby restaurants) are emerging and the new growth is a fresh, bright green.

things to do sight
A story
The bamboo forest here covers nearly 9,000 hectares — one of the largest contiguous bamboo seas in eastern China. On windy days the canopy moves in waves, the sound somewhere between rushing water and white noise, and the light filtered through the stems turns the forest floor a pale green. Walking into it on a hot summer day is like stepping into a different climate.