tour

In cooperation with the International Center for Research on Agro-Forestry (ICRAF), INBAR organized
a Bamboo Study Tour in Zhejiang province, China from May 10th-16th, 2005. The tour included 20
participants from 7 countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, U.S.A, Vietnam and Thailand). The
Bamboo Study Tour was organized to provide an awareness of the importance of bamboo as a
valuable, non-timber forest product and promote the industrial development of bamboo worldwide.
The focus of this tour was to provide a general overview of the bamboo production and products
fueling the vast bamboo economy of Zhejiang province, in eastern China

If wealth were measured in bamboo species and resources, Zhejiang province would be the wealthiest
area in the world. Zhejiang Province is situated along the shore of the East Sea. There are
approximately thirty genera and four hundred varieties of bamboos in Zhejiang. Zhejiang province
also has several hundred thousand hectares of bamboo forests and plantations. Dozens of industries
and thousands of products have been formed using this valuable natural resource. The annual
output of bamboo and bamboo products in 2002 totaled an astonishing RMB 12 billion Yuan (almost
$1.5 billion US).

The Bamboo Study Tour began with a welcoming dinner on May 10th in Hangzhou City. The next
morning, after an early breakfast at the hotel, the participants left to visit the Dassao Bamboo Flooring
Co. Ltd. After a brief introduction of the flooring industry, the members of the Tour were conducted on
a guided tour of the factory (pictures not allowed). The size of the operation was extremely
impressive. In order to ensure equality and high standards demanded by their customers, the
Company has invested tens of millions of Yuan in their machinery and facilities. The tour group was
then invited to a question and answer session with company leaders. It was learned that Dassao
Bamboo Flooring Co. Ltd. produces approximately 18% of all bamboo flooring sold in the world.

The tour then traveled to Suichang, several hours from Hangzhou. Along the way, the tour stopped
briefly at a Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) plantation. Everyone was able to walk around
the plantation and admire the size and beauty of the bamboo. After checking into the hotel and lunch,
the members then visited Wenzhao Bamboo Charcoal Co. Ltd. The company gave a very interesting
and informative tour of the facilities. Although the tour guide did not speak English, a common
occurrence during the tour, several members of INBAR were available to translate. Tour members
were guided through the factory, seeing how the charcoal, vinegar, treated bamboo and products
were made. There was also a demonstration shop displaying a few of the 1000 products produced
from Bamboo charcoal.

The next morning, the group was able to visit Lin’an Municipality. Lin'an Municipality has previously
won the title of "Hometown of Bamboo in China." Here participants visited the Tihuyuan Ornamental
Garden and Shoot Production Plantation. The garden produces many ornamental varieties of
bamboo which are appropriate for its cool, wet climate. The shoots grown were primarily Phyllostachys
praecox. The shoot industry has grown remarkably in the last 10 years, in a large part because of the
proximity of this region to Shanghai. The group was told of the many farmers who had recently
become millionaires solely by producing bamboo shoots. Afterwards, they visited the products
laboratory of the Zhejiang Forestry College, located on the old campus grounds. This laboratory was
well-equipped and used to perform many experiments instrumental in the introduction of new
technologies to the region. It also showed the commitment by local and national government toward
the development and production of bamboo products. After checking into the hotel and lunch, the
participants were then introduced to the new campus of the Zhejiang Forestry College. They toured
the campus and met with local leaders. A question-and-answer session followed which provided a
great deal of information about local productivity and the College.

On May 13 the group then toured the Hangzhou Kangxin Food’s Co. Ltd. Because the shoot
production factory has very high standards of quality, all participants were required to wear clothing
designed to prevent dirt, dust, or any foreign particles entering the factory. The members were
introduced to the entire system of shoot processing from receiving the shoots from the farm all the
way to shipping them to market. It was another very impressive operation.

The group then left Lin'an and traveled to An'ji. This area has become quite famous for its Bamboo
Sea. This area of Zhejiang province has been designated as a tourist attraction by the government.
It is also the area where several movies have been filmed including the very popular "Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon." The Tour was then taken to the "Moso Bamboo Technological Park" in An'ji.
This Park covers an area of 19,000 hectares, of which approximately 10,000 hectares is Moso
bamboo. The group explored the park and climbed its trails through vast stands of Moso bamboo.
Those who could not climb the steep slopes were carried in bamboo thrones to the observation tower
at the park’s highest point. From the observation tower, it became apparent why this area has
become known as the "Bamboo Sea" as nothing else is visible as far as the eye can see. The group
then ate dinner in a dining room entirely decorated and furnished in bamboo products. The
chopsticks, beer and many of the entrées were also made from bamboo.

The following day, May 14, proved to be the busiest day of the Tour. The participants first visited the
An'ji Chenbao Bamboo Plywood Factory. Here they saw the process of bamboo plywood formation.
This company is able to make plywood using bamboo slats, glue, and a machine that presses layers
together under a high temperature. This product was being sold for use in the construction industry
which is currently experiencing phenomenal growth in China. The group then visited Shengshi Bio-
products Co., a company which produces bamboo beer and health drinks. The participants were not
allowed to see the factory as safety standards would not permit untrained persons in the work area
but samples of the products were provided to the group's delight. The group then visited a
community processing shop. Here the participants were able to see the conversion of the bamboo
culms into actual products. After the culms were cut and sorted, they were split and prepared for the
making of chopsticks, tooth picks and many small crafts. On one side of the small factory, bamboo
slats were fed into planing machines which shaved them down to the appropriate sizes. On the other
side, skilled workers made toys, utensils and other useful items for use at home and abroad. A
workshop and a small store showcased many of the items they had made.

The group then visited An’ji Green Bamboo and Wood Industry Co., Ltd. Here, the group was able to
see many new and inventive products made from Bamboo. They were also able to purchase many of
these products. The tour then stopped at the Tan Zhu Zhuang bamboo fabrics store, in An’ji. The
group was able to see and purchase a variety of products made from bamboo and bamboo blend in
materials. The tour did not include a visit to the Anji Shang Fang Kong Fiber Products Factory. After
lunch, a stop was made at the Demai Bamboo and Wooden Machinery Co., Ltd. Here the group saw
a large warehouse full of the actual machinery used in the processing and production of bamboo
products. The group was also able to see how the machines could be used to process bamboo
reserves already growing in their respective countries.

The next stop was at the Zhejiang Cengbao Wood and Bamboo products Co. Ltd. Here the group
was introduced to a large array of bamboo curtain, mat and shade products. A demonstration area
was set up to show the versatility and usefulness of these products. Participants were then allowed to
tour the production facilities. Numerous workers were involved in the production and quality-control
process. This was another company with astounding production, sales and profitability. The group
then saw the same process on a much smaller scale. They saw a local family who had set up a single
machine in the downstairs section of their home. Everyone worked together to produce the curtains.
Such an international presence caused quite a stir among the locals. Both members of the tour and
family members and neighbors enjoyed taking pictures and laughing at their attempts to
communicate. The day concluded with a trip to a bamboo products market. Everything that had been
seen previously, and much more, was available at the market. It was difficult for everyone to leave.

The next morning local authorities invited the group to visit the An'ji Botanical Garden. This garden
has become famous as being the largest botanical garden in the world specifically dedicated to
showcasing bamboo. Over 300 varieties of subtropical and temperate bamboos are grown, many of
which can only be found in this region. The museum, on the same grounds, had the preserved culms
of the largest bamboo in the world, Dendrocalamus sinicus, found only in southern China. Exhibits
showed the amazing versatility and botanical variety of bamboo. The museum also presented the
history, development and culture of bamboo in China. Exhibits also displayed numerous works of art
and crafts of truly astounding quality. Afterwards local authorities held a conference to provide
information and answer questions for the group. The group was also able to thank the authorities for
their information and hospitality.

The Bamboo Study Tour then toured some of the attractions in Hangzhou which were unrelated to
bamboo. They visited the beautiful Westlake. The group toured several of the most beautiful sights
bordering the lake. They also were able to go on a boat cruise, with incredible views of the shoreline,
islands and he Hangzhou pagoda. Afterwards, they visited a silk production factory and outlet store.
The closing dinner was cut short, however, and many participants wanted to shop in the numerous
malls offered by Hangzhou's thriving economy.

The participants expressed that they were impressed to with the production and possibilities for the
use of bamboo and bamboo products in their respective countries. ICRAF extended an invitation to
INBAR to perform a feasibility study in East Africa in late November. Dr. Fu, the coordinator of the
event for INBAR, and several participants of the tour discussed a workshop in Vietnam for several
Southeast Asian countries. Several other individuals of the group made positive contacts and
purchases directly related to the tour. A second tour to the area is currently being considered.