This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) combined with chitosan coating on microbial growth and quality maintenance of fresh-cut bamboo shoots during cold storage. Fresh-cut shoots respiration rate, weight loss, firmness, lignin, colour, microbial and activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were measured. The results indicated that treatment with 28 mg L-1 ClO2 plus chitosan coating inhibited increase in respiration rate and firmness, delayed browning and lignification and reduced microorganism counts of total aerobic bacteria and yeasts and moulds compared to control treatment. The efficiency was better than that of ClO2 or chitosan treatment alone. Furthermore, combination of ClO2 and chitosan inhibited the activities of PAL, CAD, POD and PPO throughout the storage period. Our study suggests that ClO2 plus chitosan coating treatment may be a promising method of maintaining fresh-cut bamboo shoot quality and extending their postharvest life.