Bamboo Seed /Bamboo Photo
Because of the following message, I have to move over 130 bamboo photos to Bamboo-photo if you need high solution photos, please send an email to jfu@inbar.int
Bamboo seed: Fresh bamboo seeds of moso (Phyllostachys pubescens) (-20° C) and Dendrocalamus giganteus, Dendrocalamus barbatus, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii,Bambusa distegia, Dendrocalamus membranaceus and Dendrocalamus peculiaris are available now, more details please contact Zhuzi
Other bamboo seeds will be availble soon
Please visit Bamboo-photo to see their photos
2008 INBAR Bamboo Tour in China
INBAR, a treaty organization comprised of 34 Member countries, operates from its headquarters in Bejing, China. INBAR operates small group tours to interesting places in China where bamboo has a significant role in the National Economy.
The 2005 tour was for ICRAF. In 2007, one was for UNIDO and another extra one was for Ministers and diplomats. The 2008 Bamboo Tour had 14 participants from Australia, Ethiopia, Laos, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, and the USA.
The objective of the annual bamboo study tours is to share the experience of Chinese bamboo development and to promote bamboo development in other countries.
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Summary of the tour:
The 2008 Bamboo Tour group gathered in Hangzhou, a beautiful Mega City in Zhejaing Province, for the first time, and was introduced to Dr Fu Jinhe, the Director of INBAR and Amy Tao, who acted as our English interpreter. One thing that was immediately apparent was that four members of the group were from Latin America, and three of them didn’t speak English. That wasn’t a problem because Sr. Filipe Casanova from Mexico speaks Spanish, English, and is quickly learning Mandarin, so that we had a chain of translation going on during the tour that made everyone careful to try to speak slowly and distinctly, (except when joking about each other). The members from Laos had lived in Canada for most of their lives, so there wasn’t a problem with that, eh? And our Aussie had the most delightful accent and laugh. The four African members speak proper English, naturally; and of course the Americans confused everyone with their crazy colloquialisms; except for “cool” ….(everyone seemed to know that one), and we all used it whenever we saw something Cool. So there we were, in Zhongguo,(which is Mandarin for “China”); drawn from far flung places by our interest in Bamboo, “The Next Big Thing”.
We piled into a little Pink Tour bus driven by a wild man, and for the next ten days made a whirlwind of exotic people in an astonishing place. Here is a brief list of the places we went.
Dasso Bamboo Floor Co.Ltd, April 21st
Hangzhou Dasso Floor Co., Ltd (Dasso) is the largest bamboo flooring exporter in China. Dasso produces engineered flooring, of different types. We saw 2 and 3ply bamboo flooring and sliced bamboo veneer being made. Dasso has many patented products in China, the US; and the Netherlands. The commitment to quality was apparent, as we saw constant checking for fit and finish throughout the assembly line. Dasso supplied 230,000m2 fire-proof bamboo veneer for Madrid International Airport. This company is invited to decorate Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shang and Guangzhou etc (bamboo flooring, furniture etc.).
We had a
short briefing from the Company President, and were told that Dasso is working
on more applications for the Veneer, including Wind Turbine Blades
of 40m diameter,
and that BMW is using Dasso Veneer for the interior of it’s SUV
and also for Mercedes Benz cars;
so there will definitely be more uses in the future for Dasso products
Bamboo Products Exhibition Center
On April 21st,
Anji (China) International Bamboo Products Exposition 2008 held the opening
ceremony for Anji International Bamboo Commercial Plaza, the largest bamboo
products trading center in China. The exposition center covers a land area of
10,300 m2 and can accommodate 1600 booths,
Displaying
a wide diversity of bamboo and rattan products.
(Belete in the
booth of bamboo furniture)
Anji Bamboo Garden (Museum and Bamboo Botanic Garden)
Anji Bamboo Garden
displays over 389 species on over 200 acres. In addition to about 45 local
species, there are specimens from 17 provinces and many other countries. 
We were in
the sea of bamboo.
The Bamboo Museum is a
great place to see that bamboo is integral to the culture of China, It displays
bamboo artifacts over a history of more than 6000 years. 
There are 8
exhibition halls, consisting of History, Literature and Art, Technical
Demonstrations and Bamboo Fine Arts. The first time visitor quickly begins to
understand that Bamboo shaped every aspect of Chinese culture, by serving as the
first writing medium….bamboo brushes using bamboo charcoal ink, on strips of
bamboo which could be bound together into scrolls that have lasted millennia.
The entry Hall has a cluster of giant bamboo, (Dendrocalamus
sinicus),
which makes a grand display of the size that bamboo can attain. 
The museum has
a lot to see, and is a good starting point for anyone who wants to understand
the history of Zhongguo. 
Visit to Anji Science Bio-Product Co., Ltd. (Bamboo flavones) on April 22
Anji Science Bio-product company was established in 1998, as a specialized
research and development company for extracts from bamboo leaves, cane and
shoots. The emphasis is on the development and utilization of bamboo as food
and medicines.
Our members
saw processed bamboo products, and asked a lot of questions about the process
used to extract bamboo flavones and chemicals. 
At dinner that
evening, we all tasted the bamboo beer that was prominently displayed at the
company showroom.
Visit to Bamboo Sea Movie Base
Bamboo Sea Movie Base
actually is a famous demonstration plantation for Phyllostachys pubescens
(Moso). 
Moso is a
strong species that is widely used for many purposes. The average diameter is
10 centimeters, and it can reach 20 cm. The plantation is decorated by spring,
bamboo pavilions and bamboo statues. 
The
plantation was used for the movies; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; and Banquet. 
Visit to Jinmao Bamboo and Wood Products Co., Ltd (curtain, carpet) & Yongyu Bamboo Floor Co., Ltd on April 23
Anji Jinmao
Bamboo & Wood Products Co., has over 420 working staff. 
They produce
bamboo textiles, bamboo rugs, bamboo blinds, table mats, and sisal and sea-grass
rugs, for local and international markets. 
Our members
took a close look at the process and asked questions.
Yongyu Company
specializes in bamboo flooring and decorative products.. 
There are 200
employees producing 250,000 m2 of bamboo floor, per year. Guided by the sales
manager, we toured around the works and took a close look at various types of
bamboo floor.
Visit to Jitai Bamboo Machinery Co., Ltd
After visiting several companies specialized in producing bamboo floor,
rugs and
mats, we began to be curious about the various machines we saw.
Anji Jitai
Machinery Co.,Ltd is engaged in bamboo and wood floor machine manufacturing and
selling. 
They
manufacture most of the machine tools that we saw in action at the Bamboo
flooring and blind companies. 
Our members
asked for catalogues which described each machine. 
Visit to Zhejiang Forestry College
ZFU, located
in the western suburb of Hangzhou city, covers an area of 155 hectares. It
consists of 16 schools and one division, 33 disciplines and 43 undergraduate
majors. It has two campuses; the one we went to was the new campus, also known
as East Lake Campus. 
We went to
the Institute of Bamboo Research and the Forest Development Lab (designated as a
“Key Provincial Lab). 
Guided by the
director of
the
institute, we toured around the lab, saw bamboo seeds in tubes, illustrations of
the bamboo gene, and got a better understanding of bamboo tissue culture.
Later we visited the wood and bamboo labs and a showroom of bamboo furniture. 
Visit to Kangxin Bamboo Shoot Product Co., Ltd and Bamboo Garden in Lin’an on April 24
At this company, we were asked to put on special clothes and boots to make sure
that we would not contaminate the workshop.
We saw the
staff cutting the bamboo shoots, by hand, into pieces; 
which were
then sterilized at high temperature. 
After the bamboo shoot company, we went on to a botanic garden in Lin’an. The
director gave us a brief introduction about the different species, and the
history of the company. Then we went to take a look at the bamboo gardens and
green houses. 
As requested by our members, the working staff showed us how to propagate
monopodial bamboo by planting a rhizome cutting into a pot.
Visit to Wenzhao Bamboo Charcoal Co., Ltd on April 25
Wenzhao Bamboo Charcoal Company specializes in developing, producing and
distributing Bamboo Charcoal and Bamboo Vinegar. The company produces more than
one hundred Bamboo Charcoal products, ranging from bamboo fiber towels and
charcoal pillows, to air and water purification media. Specialty products
include bamboo charcoal deodorants,
and cigarette filters which enjoy great popularity in Japan, Korea, Southeast
Asia, Hong Kong,
Taiwan and Europe. 
Mr. Chen
Wenzhao, the president of the company, escorted us around and explained that he
is involved with all aspects of the design and manufacturing. He showed us a
Moso
bamboo
plantation, and dug a bamboo shoot for us. Our members were curious about
digging bamboo shoot; some were keen on learning how to peel bamboo shoots. 
After seeing
the source of the bamboo, we took a close look at the Charcoal Kiln, where the
bamboo culms are
carbonized. According to Mr. Chen, the bamboo should be put into the kiln
within 15 days of harvest, and should smolder in an oxygen depleted condition
for 25days; at a temperature of about
900
Celsius. 
Mr. Chen
opened a kiln and picked up some newly
produced
bamboo charcoal. The bamboo charcoal looks like pure black porcelain, and rings
with a
metallic
sound when struck. 
After that,
everyone followed Mr. Chen
to his bamboo charcoal museum,
where he had antique bamboo processing equipment, and a large assortment of his
products. It was very interesting to see the many ingenious products that are
made from such a simple material, and many of us were immediately transformed
into Bamboo Charcoal advocates. Most of us had not known much about it, and the
fact that many of us are from places where fresh water is a problem, were eager
to learn more about the research that has been done at ZFU on this important
subject. 
Touring around West Lake and China Silk Museum in Hangzhou on April 26
Since we were in Hangzhou, we surely couldn’t miss one of china’s most famous
scenic attractions: West Lake. Late spring was a wonderful season to visit West
Lake, which is ringed with willows and peach flowers. Sitting on the ferry,
looking at the glittering lake and enjoying the view of the mountains and stone
bridges in the distance was such a nice experience. 
Hangzhou is also famous for silk. We went to the silk museum. The museum was set up in 1992, covering a construction area of more than 10,000 m2. It is made up of 10 exhibition rooms which display the historical heritage, local customs, silk worms, silk harvesting, weaving, and coloring. Silk is another material inextricably intertwined with Chinese History, and was the motivating force behind the first intercontinental trading routes.
Visit to Qingshen Yunhua Bamboo Handicraft Training Base and Living Water Park and Wangjiang Bamboo Park on April 27
Sichuan
Qingshen Yun Hua Bamboo Culture & Travel Ltd was set up by a famous bamboo
weaving master, Mr. Chen Yunhua. He has been invited to 18 countries to teach
bamboo weaving techniques. In October 2001, an International Bamboo Weaving
Workshop, organized by INBAR, was held at the Centre.` More than 50 overseas
participants from 20 countries gathered here to learn weaving technique. Mexican
with basket
At that time,
China Bamboo Weaving Art Center was designated as the INBAR Qingshen Bamboo
Handicraft Training Base. 
In November
2002, invited by INBAR, Master Chen went to Ecuador for a 20 day bamboo
handicraft training workshop. When we were touring around the training base, 
we saw women
weaving pictures with threadlike bamboo, which was as fine as hair, into
delicate pictures. 
Living Water
Park is the world’s first environmental education park devoted to water
purification, conservation and utilization. 
The Fu River,
was heavily polluted, and needed help.The purifying system is composed of an
anaerobic pond, an aerobic pond, a botanic pond, a botanic bed, 
and a fish
pond. 
the water
flowing out is clear and alive.
Wangjiang
Park at Jinjiang, in the center of the beautiful city Chengdu, 
was built to
commemorate a famous poet from the Tang Dynasty. There are about 150 types of
bamboo growing near the famous. Wangjiang Pavilion, 
Visit to Du Jiangyan and Chengdu Panda Base on April 28
The ancient water
project “Du Jiangyan” was established in 221 BC.. 
It is
designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by the UN, because it is the most
ancient, functioning large scale water project on earth. 
The project
divided the Min River into 2 branches. One runs directly into the Yangzi River ,
and the other goes through water control structures before flowing into the
city, and on to the land for irrigation. 
The banks of
the channels are lined with river rock that is bound together with bamboo straps
that are regularly maintained and replaced on a schedule that has existed for
over 2000 years. The Museum of anthropology and History ranks with the finest
in the world, and exhibits artifacts that are reminiscent of things that many of
our group would recognize from their own cultural histories.
When it comes
to bamboo, you may also think of panda. Yes! Today we really saw the panda
babies. 
They were so
cute and lovely, 
especially
when they were sleeping on the tree. According to our guide, there are
only
2000 pandas in the world, and their reproduction mainly depends on artificial
insemination. That’s why they are so precious. 
Conclusion Our participants were impressed by the achievements China has made in the bamboo industry during the past 2 decades. What they saw and learned went beyond their expectation and they were very satisfied with the trip. This tour also greatly enhanced their awareness of bamboo’s role in environmental protection and rural economic development. They would like to help develop the bamboo industry and want to get more countries to join INBAR. They wish to cooperate with INBAR and the Chinese government and private enterprises and extended a welcome to Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in and develop the bamboo industry in other countries..
Comments from our participants:
Joab: It was indeed a great pleasure meeting all of you. I am back in Nairobi (Kenya) and for each and every one of you who made a difference in whatever kind/way in bringing a difference in my knowledge of bamboo in the world, I humbly say KUDOS. Much thanks reserved for Dr. FU and INBAR for organizing such a successful event. This is to remind you that I still remember every talk/discussion I had with each one of you and I will contact you in trying to get a place for bamboo and collaborations.
Belete: What a magnificent opportunity created by INBAR with such a wonderful and motivated bamboo friends from different parts of the world to share such practical experiences and benefit our World/country's from bamboo's untapped potential. Special appreciation goes to INBAR management and also to Dr. Fu Jinhe, who always endeavored to share his and his countries valuable experiences to share to the other countries. It was really unforgettable and successful time we had passed. INBAR is a real network for the world. We must get in touch for the future, because a lot of things can be shared for the future, too. I, in the Ethiopia side, always ready to cooperate with you in sharing different experiences and success stories.
Odrac: It was a pleasure to meet and discuss with you all. Manilay and myself have discovered and learned a lot from the study tour and we will do our best to develop the bamboo sector in the Lao PDR. Thank you INBAR.
Tila:
This was
one of my three life experiences so far (Europe, North America
and Asia). I would like to thank Dr. Fu and his team for well organized
and executed study tour. It was a great experience.
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