BAMBOO IN DAILY LIFE

Bamboo in daily life

Apart from food crops, no other plant has had such a profound influence on Chinese life. Bamboo is part of so many day-to-day objects that life would be totally different without it. It is abundant, inexpensive and versatile, making it a strong rival to even such modern substitutes as plastic and metal.

The stems are light, flexible and strong. They do not burn easily. They can be heated and shaped. Split, woven or cut into different lengths, they can be transformed into countless useful items.

Bamboo is made into strong 20-storey high scaffolding, bridges that sometimes span distances of hundreds of metres, flood-proof retaining walls, water wheels for irrigating fields, fuselages for small aircraft, watch springs, bicycle frames, filaments for transistors and much, much more.

Bamboo is also said to drive away demons. In days gone by, when it was thrown onto fires the noise made by the exploding internodes was thought to banish evil spirits and allow the gods to grant wishes and prayers. In fact, the Malay word bamboo comes from the noise it makes. The bam is the dry bang of the internodes exploding when the air pressure builds up inside, and the escaping air goes boo!

Bamboo in daily life A giant grass Great strength Coloured culms A vast underground network Edible bamboo Flowers... but when? Spectacular growth Like a telescopic antenna The bamboo house of Dai Built on pilings Bamboo paper and tablets From top to bottom and from right to left The embodiment of grace Seizing the vision Bamboo's virtues Bamboo in daily life Bam! Bou! Giant panda Single and solitary Red panda A protect species A carnivore Our bamboo collection Growing bamboo locally Growing bamboo Water and heat Bamboo as a lawn Indoor plants Suppliers