Mukeng Bamboo Forest, also known as southern Anhui bamboo forest, is 5 kilometers away from Hongcun ancient village and 15 kilometers away from the Qian County. Surrounded by lush and green bamboos, the main scenic area covers an area of 6 square kilometers.
With a charming natural scenery, Mukeng Bamboo Forest attracts many celebrities, photographers or film and television experts every year. It is also the shooting location of the bamboo sea in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, which won the best foreign language film at the 73rd annual Academy Awards. Nowadays, it is not only a renowned tourist destination for Huangshan tour, but also a unique natural oxygen bar for leisure and health.
Mukeng Bamboo Forest Facts
- Address: Yi County, Huangshan, Anhui Province, China
- Opening Hours:7:00 – 5:30
- Type:Bamboo Forest, Natural Landscape
- Ticket Price:30 yuan (40 for cable car)
- Best Time to Visit:Spring & Autumn
- Recommended Visiting Hours:2-3 hours
Why Visit Mukeng Bamboo Forest
The shape of Mukeng bamboo sea is like a funnel. Compared with the Xidi Ancient village, the Mukeng Bamboo Forest has more natural landscape rather than cultural. When you enter the scenic area, you can see the dense bamboos standing on both side and hear the rustling sound of bamboo leaves. In addition, it is possible for people to appreciate the view of sea of clouds in a good weather condition.
There is a “Bamboo monster city” in the scenic area, where lots of “monsters” made of bamboo are installed to “scare” visitors,but extra ticket is required. The scenic area is also equippedwith a glass bridge that is 200 meters long and 80 meters above the ground. The most interesting and exciting thing is that 5D visual and sound effect make the bridge looks like break when people walk on it. If you are brave and adventurous, you can also have a try to experience the zipline, which is also a unique experience to overlook the charming natural scenery of bamboo forest during Huangshan travel.
What to Do in Mukeng Bamboo Forest
Immersing in Nature
Spanning tens of square miles, Mukeng Bamboo Forest is blanketed with towering Phyllostachys bamboo, creating a vast bamboo forest. Waves of green bamboo seas lap against the many Huizhou-style houses scattered throughout. The white-washed walls and black tiles, set against the backdrop of green mountains and lush bamboo, vividly outline a picture-perfect earthly paradise. The air here is fresh, the environment serene, and the scenery delightful. Visitors entering the Mukeng Bamboo Forest will surely feel a sense of peace and freedom from worries.
Capturing the Scenery
Mukeng Bamboo Sea is an excellent spot for photography. The bamboo forest stretches for about 6 kilometers, with Huizhou-style dwellings or pavilions appearing perfectly at the end or bend of every path. The scenery changes with time and weather, offering different kinds of beauty. For instance, after the rain, one can see white clouds and houses deep in the green bamboo. On a sunny day, the rising sun creates waves of green bamboo like the sea of clouds on Mount Huangshan. During the moonlit night in the valley, it feels like being in a heavenly place, with a fresh and quiet environment.
Hiking
For those seeking an outdoor hiking destination, Mukeng Bamboo Forest is undoubtedly a great choice. Within the bamboo forest, one can catch a glimpse of Qishu Lake and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Enjoying Local Food
During a Huangshan travel, a must-try delicacy is the stinky mandarin fish, also known as stinky osmanthus fish. It is a unique dish from the Huizhou region and one of the most distinctive and popular local specialties in the entire Huangshan area. Many tourists visiting Huangshan make a point of finding an authentic Huizhou restaurant to savor this genuine stinky mandarin fish.
Recommended Tour Route
The main tour route in the Mukeng Bamboo Forest is circular, consisting of the West Sea (the entrance near Hongcun), Mukeng Village, and the South Sea (the entrance near Mount Huangshan). Typically, visitors start from the West Sea, climb up to the viewing platform to enjoy the bamboo sea and Mukeng Village, and then descend to the village.
After passing through Mukeng Village and heading south, you will reach the South Sea, where there is a South Sea Gorge. Inside the gorge lies the Bamboo Monster City, which features various bamboo-made monsters. Visiting the Bamboo Monster City requires an additional fee. At the end of the route, you will see the Xiu Nu Lake, where the bamboo and the emerald green water create a very beautiful scene.
There are accommodations and farmhouse meals available within Mukeng Bamboo Sea. The average level of accommodation is not as high as in Hongcun, but it is still acceptable, with private bathrooms and hot water. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of Hongcun, staying here for a change of pace is also a good choice.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for touring in Mukeng Bamboo Forest is March to November. As during these months, the weather is pleasant and the natural landscape is fascinating.
How to Get to the Mukeng Bamboo Forest
- From the Qian county: Visitors can take bus at Qian County Bus Station to get to the Mukeng Bamboo Forest, but the frequency is low.
- From the Hongcun Ancient Village: Mukeng Bamboo Forest is 5 kilometers meters away from the Hongcun Ancient Village. Visitors can choose to walk, rent a car or bike from the local inn to get to the scenic area.
Nearby Attractions
- Tunxi Old Street: Located in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, with lucid rivers and beautiful streets, Tunxi Old Street is known as the “Moving Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival.”
- Chenkang Village: With a history of over 1,800 years, it is one of the best-preserved ancient villages in China today, acclaimed as the “Number One Feng Shui Village in China.”
