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Tourist Guides for China
Foshan Tourist Guide (March 2010)
Sightseeing
This page is an introduction to our Foshan 'To do List':

Related Pages:
Introduction - This page
Culture
City Tour
City Districts
Regional Attractions
Sample Day at Dong Jian
Shopping
Kung Fu
Zoos, Water and Theme Parks, Museums

City Tour
This is a general introduction for first time visitors to Foshan, and aimed more at visiting tourists than business people. We begin in the city centre, known as Bai Hua and head North, before turning West, South and East - which is technically Nan Hai. Our intention is not only to highlight the main attractions, but introduce the city so that you have some idea how it is laid out and how it works. You will learn that the main bus and railway stations are situated a couple of miles North of Bai Hua, Ceramics are West, and the best shopping is arguably in two locations - central and South.

We include all the major destinations, but please see the specific categories below for more detailed information concerning each venue or topic.

Culture
Foshan has a rich cultural heritage spanning more than two millennia. It is the home of Cantonese Opera, properly known as Yue Opera, and we tell you where to go to see full or short performances. Short performances are often held in dedicated Tea Gardens, whilst full shows are largely performed in Buddhist temples. We briefly mention Kung Fu, as Foshan is the worldwide home of modern Kung Fu - but this is detailed in a separate section. We have a look at Chinese gardens and parks famous for poetry, or landscapes featuring a high understanding of Feng Shui.

However, unlike virtually every other guide on the internet (Including the official Government website), we restrict ourselves to the city proper and its immediate neighbourhood in this section. Other guides include some fantastic attractions which are physically several hours drive away. As tourists, we believe you need to differentiate between a local venue that is 10 minutes away by cab, or something that requires a full day to visit properly. These are included in a separate section of course, but related to their location and nearby city. Further - all current guides also limit tourism to the Foshan City District, and exclude other nearby attractions that as tourists you will find extremely interesting. A day in the nearby city of Zhao Qing is a perfect example.

Main highlights include: The Ancestral Temple in the Centre of Foshan, nearby Foshan Folk Art Museum and Studio is a good place to look for souvenirs, including excellent Chinese Cloisonné, silks, Jade, Papercuts (Foshan's leading art), calligraphy and other local arts and crafts. Ancient Nanfeng Kiln is 5-minutes taxi from Bai Hua city centre and is home to the last working Dragon Kiln in all of China. Liang Yuan is one of the Pearl River Delta's most historic gardens built by a family of famous poets and artists of the period. Artistically arranged gardens and ponds surround elegant residential buildings. Foshan is also the Birthplace of Cantonese Opera and there are always Cantonese Opera shows and performances, plus special display halls and a Memorial museum dedicated to the Stars. From this spring a local industry based on costumes and masks.

Xi Qiao mountain is nearby and offers many attractions such as: Yun Hai Lai Tai, Huang Daxian holy Land, Baiyun Cave, Tian Hu (Heaven) Lakes, Stone Swallow Rock and Sifang Bamboo Garden. Most attractions are open during daylight hours, but some are restricted to closing at midday, including: Bodhisattva Culture Garden and Tianhu Lake Scenic Spot = 7.30 am to 12 midday only. The mountain is also home of many Kung Fu schools, but we list these under a separate section.

Foshan is also the Leading Chinese City for ceramics - the earliest settlers came here because of the local China Clay. Nowadays this is mainly devoted to Thousands of square miles of factories producing toilets and other national and export related ceramics. However, Foshan still produces the most exquisite China and porcelain in the whole of this vast country.

Our Culture section explores all these and more in greater detail, including opening times and contact details.

Shopping

We know tourists will want to know the best shopping areas, and apart from the city centre of course, we also tell you where to go for other major shopping areas, and for local curios and genuine souvenirs. Whilst telling you where the best shops and international brands can be found, you will also find details of cheaper malls for people on a restricted budget. Complimenting this are locations of local tailors who offer genuine services you can trust. Visitors may well be interested in our example day, where we walk around Dong Jian area for a day, offering you a varied walk about 3 miles, which also tells you good places to stop for a bite to eat (plus beer or juice) as your journey progresses.

Kung Fu

Knowing some visitors to Foshan are primarily interested in Kung Fu, we have a section devoted solely to this martial art. This is subdivided for general interest or keen practitioners who are seeking real training. The page also features local Kung Fu figures from history, supplemented by modern film recreations and links to other pages offering great details about the lives of people like Wong Fei Hong, Ip Man, and Bruce Lee.

This page also forms part of a larger Kung Fu section that interlinks with Kung Fu movies and movie stars. It also relates to our separate Kung Fu tourist guide which covers the whole of China and Hong Kong, and is not restricted to just Foshan.

Attractions

This section is completed by a brief look at other attractions such as: zoo's, water parks, amusement parks and anything of a similar nature. We also take a look at Foshan Science Museum, as all these items tend to be of interest to younger people. The page completes with information concerning activities like: water sports, horse riding, and animal farms designed with young children in mind.

Summary

Our intention is to provide both first-time and regular visitors to Foshan with free information suitable to their needs. These pages will expand over time as our knowledge grows, and as expanded by your comments and suggestions also.

We are very happy to include what you don't like, as well as what you do like - as this is advice for others who will follow you over the years to come.
This information is as supplied by China Expats and our friends, as dated 10th July 2010, and/or other reliable sources. Please check this information yourself as it may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only
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