Bamboo shoots digged out in Sheshan National Forest Park
An expat digs bamboo shoots.
Getting bored with numerous spring flower exhibitions? Seeking some wild fun and natural flavor? Here is something different!
The 23rd Sheshan Lansun (orchid and bamboo shoots) Cultural Festival, a Songjiang local festival to mark the beginning of spring, starts on Saturday, offering a short respite from the urban treadmill with a variety of activities.
Through April 13, the Tianma Mountain and East Sheshan Garden of Sheshan National Forest Park will celebrate the festival with bamboo shoot digging.
Bamboos have rhizomes that will sprout and grow into bamboo shoots when the weather turns warm and sufficient water and nutrients are provided.
A girl shows off her fruits.
Over the weekend and during the Qingming Festival holiday between April 4 and 6, a cultural and tourism bazaar featuring Songjiang’s intangible cultural heritage as well as local specialty products and fun games are held at Sheshan National Forest Park.
There are 37 themed booths with diverse offerings like exquisite bamboo weaving, renowned Songjiang cloth and woodblock print items here.
For music lovers, beautiful Chinese folk song melodies will linger in the air at the park from March 29 to April 13, amid the breeze of the bamboo sea, as a unique bamboo forest concert will be held.
A group of children celebrate the festival.
An expat learns intangible cultural heritage.
On Sunday and April 4, a bamboo forest cultural feast will be served at the East Sheshan Garden of Sheshan National Forest Park, while intangible cultural heritage inheritors will demonstrate on site how to turn bamboo shoot shells into treasures at the garden on Sunday, April 5 and 6.
During the festival, a banquet of bamboo shoots will be cooked up at restaurants and hotels in the Sheshan National Tourism Resort, and a bamboo shoot cooking competition will be held at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland.
A display of traditional craft on site
The Sheshan National Tourism Resort has announced a number of discounts on tourist sites, luxury hotels and cultural experiences for foreigners flying into the city.
For example, Tianma Mountain and Xiaokunshan Garden are offering free entry to foreign tourists with a valid visa and passport until June 30, 2025, and Shanghai Happy Valley offers exhilarating rides and entertainment to foreign visitors, who are eligible for a 200-yuan (US$27) discount until April 30, 2025. The original price is 260 yuan per adult.
Sugar figurine display
A bamboo shoot cuisine
Duration of 23rd Sheshan Lansun (orchid and bamboo shoots) Cultural Festival: March 29 - April 13
Venue: Sheshan National Forest Park
Address: 9258 Waiqingsong Highway, Songjiang District 松江区外青松公路9258号
A concert is held during the festival.
An expat poses with the festival background.