Coupled with a flourishing bamboo manufacturing industry, over 70 % of the area's population depends on this majestic plant for their livelihood. Set amidst lush, bamboo-clad hills, the area's residents have come to incorporate bamboo into almost every aspect of their lives.
鎮內翠竹遍野，豐富竹材得自天賜，竹山人又善於利用；從往昔手工製作的竹木業，到今日以現代化機器運材、削片、打光、鑽孔，包裝的竹工業，竹山也跟隨時代的腳步，不停地轉換風貌。南投縣境的小鎮﹘﹘竹山，是目前國內最大的竹材集散地及竹製品加工區，有百分之七十以上居民賴竹為生。