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Zoos, Water and Theme Parks, Museums - This page

Local Attractions

Amusement Parks

Foshan city has many parks and some dedicated outdoor amusement parks suitable for all ages. The best one is centrally located on Fen Jiang Zhong Lu just behind the Musical Fountain show club. You can see the rides from the main road, some of which are quite good and include water rides.

There is another one located across the road and towards the city centre. This is found on a parallel backstreet with entrance located on Jincheng Street

Swimming
Swimming is usually confined to special pools within apartment complexes and condominiums. Quality hotels offer offer swimming pools + sauna, massage, beauty treatments -which can also be found on local streets. There are a couple of public swimming pools, but I remain uncertain visiting foreigners would find these suitable for their children; whilst most locals prefer to swim in a local river. A good public swimming pool is located on Jincheng Street, which runs parallel with Fen Jiang Middle Road

Foshan Science Museum
This popular attraction is centrally located and enjoyed by many visitors to Foshan city. Foshan Science Museum, located in the flourishing and bustling section of Fenjiang Middle Road just North of the roundabout near the Foshan Hotel, was built in 1985 to better popularise scientific knowledge and enable the public to approach and understand science. The museum has set up four permanent exhibition zones, that is, the Children's World, the Life Science Zone, the Information Science Zone and the Intelligence World.

There are 82 exhibits, interesting and full of scientific knowledge, most of which are interactive and participative models, allowing visitors to understand and experience science through participation. Besides, there are a 4D cinema with special 4D effects, a planetarium with excellent facilities, a little doctor science and technology garden that can enable the visitors to fully exert their imagination, consisting of a ceramics workshop, a future engineers studio and a computer robots lab, as well as a multi-functional conference hall, a popular science training room and a computer room. The Science Museum would also hold free lectures on popular science for public welfare in the conference hall periodically.

Visitors are invited to watch an astronomy and geography movie, look at the photos of the universe, collect astronomy stamps and view telescopes. Visitors can also attend a lecture on Shenzhou VI and China's spaceflight technology development delivered by Guangdong Astronomical Society Director Luo Guisheng.

Water Parks
There are two dedicated water parks within 1-hour of the Foshan Hotel, plus Chimelong (Mentioned separately). One is called Ocean World and is located near to Guangzhou Zoo to the Northwest of the city centre. Whilst this also features huge fish tanks as well as water based rides, local visitors we know say it is over-rated.

Big Hippo Water World 大河马水上世界
Beside Nanhu Hotel, Baiyun District Guangzhou 广州市白云区南湖西路

Gold Coast Water Park 黄金海岸水上乐园
543 Binjiang Dong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou. 广州海珠区滨江东路543号

Nanhai Leigang Water Park 南海雷岗水上乐园
Haisan Lu, Nanhai, Foshan, Guangdong 佛山市南海区桂城海三路

Ocean World - Guangzhou Zoo 海洋馆-广州动物园
120 Xianlie Zhong Road 广州市越秀区先烈中路120号

Away from Guangzhou, you will find a lovely water park located in the small town of Lie Liu in Shunde (Lat lao), and is again about 1-hour from the Foshan Hotel. This dedicated water park has slides and all manner of water based amusements and activities. This also has restaurants, nightlife area with disco, stage and large TV screen, plus roms for KTV. This is run by my good friend Jason Liu, who is a very genuine businessman looking to offer affordable activities to local people, rather than make a fortune. What I like about this establishment is that there are several patios overlooking the various pools where parents can watch their children enjoying themselves. Fully trained staff are present supervising all rides and swimming pools, and swimming lessons are available. The pools close at either 8 or 9pm depending upon season, whilst the other facilities remain open until 2am or later. The park is located on the main road in Lie Liu near the Government and Police buildings, and quite near MacDonald's.

White Water Rafting
By this we mean water rides that are designed to take a family down several miles of river, although serious white water rafting is also available (Detailed separately). Foreign families will most enjoy the one located in the City District capital of San Shui (Sam Soi), which lies due East of Foshan about 1-hour by taxi. You can also travel by bus to the main San Shui bus station and then catch another local bus or taxi. Allow at least 90 minutes if travelling this way.

The water rafting is part of a water amusement complex that features a couple of large swimming pools, some limited water based activities, and the water canyon ride down a hillside. Whilst you can go directly to the ride itself, most visitors choose to walk up the side of the river, which is very interesting and forms a nature trail of about 1-hours easy walk. Every visitor we have spoken to stated they enjoyed this ride immensely.

Those seeking more serious water rafting need to travel a little further field, and should either head for Zhaoqing city (2 hours from Foshan), or Guilin in neighbouring Guangxi Province (4 hours from Foshan). Both of these cities are also very picturesque and deserve several days dedicated visit in their own right. They are not really a part of our Foshan guide, but related by close proximity. We have written guides for both destinations here: Zhao Qing and Guilin

Chimelong
Chimelong (Sing Long) is a massive Western style amusement park that has several different parts: Zoo, Rides, and Circus. It is located just outside the city of Panyu, which takes 40 minutes to reach by car from central Foshan. You can find full details in their website:

From personal experience you need to allow a full day to see either the Zoo or Rides. If you were to start early and not do everything, then you could do both in one day. Be aware the rides and zoo close about 6pm, and you have an hour for dinner before the circus starts circa 7 - 7.30 pm. We have not visited the zoo yet, but everyone tells us it is great and a must see. The rides are spread out over a large area, and similar in most respects to Alton Towers in England. They span the full spectrum including those suitable for small children, through to several huge rides designed to scare venturous adults. They offer a large selection of water rides also and some of these are quite original and a lot of fun. We suggest you visit the water rides earlier in the day - as you can get totally soaked on some of them, and it is good to dry out whilst the hot sun is still shinning. For full details please see their website: http://en.chimelong.com

The main entrance provides access to all three areas: zoo, rides, and circus. Of the three, the circus is perhaps most notable, being a permanent feature that concentrates mainly on human skills and performances. Many varied animals are included in the show, but those with animal welfare concerns should find this very acceptable. Obviously the zoo and circus work very closely together. As well as circus animals and clowns during changeovers, acts include variety show, trapeze and high-wire acrobatics, novelty acts and visiting highlight performances. At times entertainers mix with the crowd engendering much fun with simple competitions and audience involvement. The top act features the resident troupe of acrobats performing on large rotating wheels. Some of their stunts are breathtaking, and the 3- hour show is worth it just for their performance.

Returning to outside the main entrance after 10pm, you will find there is no direct coach transport, unless you can find a spare seat on a tour coach. There are taxis and private drivers however. The private drivers will be hanging around cars parked at the outer entrance, and may approach you. We have used these several times and found them to be quite genuine and safe. Expect to pay less than Y100 for a full car of people back to Foshan. If your group is larger, then they will know others with microbuses or another car.

Walking Trails
Walking is not a usual Chinese pastime, but trails do exist nearby for those that like to get out and have some exercise. The best ones are located at Xi Qiao, the big hill to the Southwest of Foshan. These are detailed at the main entrance and tourist maps are also available.

Keen amblers may prefer to visit the nearby city of Zhaoqing, some 2 hours west by bus, and 1 hour by car. Before reaching the city proper there is a major tourist attraction to your left know as Ding Hu Shan. This is a buddhist mountain complete with temples, an enormous three-legged cooking pot that is still used for festivals, and a butterfly sanctuary. The mountain is also home to three graded walking trails that are well signposted with coloured trail marker posts. These are roughly: a couple of hours, half a day, and a full day in length.

Ding Hu is also home to the highest quality inkstone produced in China, and this is mined and carried down the mountainside by hand. You will see many local vendors selling these, but we suggest you purchase from one of the craftsmen that actually make these by hand. An inkstone is a stone used to hold ink, as used in Chinese calligraphy, and associated brushes and ink are also available at these outlets.

Ice Skating
Foshan city does not have an ice skating rink, but one is planed for the the future. The nearby cities of Guangzhou and Zhaoqing do, and there is one in Shunde County.

There is a full size ice skating rink in Tian He, Guangzhou's thriving business district. Located inside the vast and brand new Grandview Mall, the ice rink is situated on one of the upper levels and has become a very popular destination for recreation, especially with teenagers. You can rent skates and they also have instructors on hand that can help out beginners. There is even an actual Zamboni driver that comes out and re-ices the rink periodically

Lucky City Rink, is a unique large indoor rink in Foshan Shunde County, is located at the first floor of Lucky City. Covering an area of 1,800 square meters and skating ice area of 800 square meters, the link was set up by Lucky City with an investment of over ten million Yuan.
Address: 1st Floor, Lucky City, Ronggui, Shunde.
Tel.: 0757-22902333 28308888

Zhaoqing ice rink is located about 800 yards along the road leading directly away from the roundabout at the city square, which overlooks 7 stars lake and crags.

Fishing Restaurants
There are a lot of this style of restaurant, and they are typically made of traditional bamboo construction and have many private rooms. These places specialise in offering Chinese 'sushi' aka, raw fish. Anglers will be please to know that most of these places are built around stocked fish pools, and you can go there and use their supplied fishing rods to catch your own dinner. If this is not for you, then the restaurant will net the fish for you and serve as desired at your table. As well as raw fish, these restaurants also serve cooked versions from extensive menus. One that is highly recommended is located on Ji Hua Road, and several miles due West of the city, near the interchange with Foshan Number 1 ring road. When travelling West you will see it set on the left hand side of the road in plain sight.

Sea Fishing
Foshan is a long way from the open sea, so for sea fishing you will need to travel. There are three areas of note, the nearest being at the mouth of the West Pearl River near Jiang Men. There are two famous islands here also, this is a good place to begin. Further afield, and we are talking flying here, we recommend Hainan Island, and further West: Qinzhou in neighbouring Guangxi Province. This is South China's major fishing port, and fish caught here are sold all over China.

Musical Fountains
Foshan has the first musical fountain in all of China, and it is located beside the nightclub of the same name (Detailed above) on Fen Jiang Middle Road, and beside the main Amusement Park. This features a cluster of fountains, which act like geysers and are showcased with lights and music, making for a fascinating show.

A second is located in the main city square of nearby Zhaoqing city overlooking 7 stars lake and crags. It is displayed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings around 7.30 or 8pm for half an hour. This one is very cool and features some truly astounding jets of water. The show is accompanied by British Marching Band music, which is a tad bizarre!

Golf
Golf is becoming very popular in China, and Foshan does have special golf courses to suit all tastes. Most are part of dedicated development projects and associated with hotel complexes and residential areas for the local wealthy. We will list only three, but know there are many others listed in the Foshan Tourist Guidebook (Available free at all good hotels).

Foshan Golf Club:
Add: Golf Club section of Guangfo highway
Tel: 85568888

Nanhai Gold Club:
Add: West East Avenue, Guidan Road, Danzao Town, Nanhai (By the side of Xianhu Lake).
Tel: 85444333

Nanhai Peach Garden Golf Club:
Add: Nanguo Peach Garden, Songgang, Nanhai
Tel: 85231981

Butterfly sanctuaries
Foshan has a resort named Butterfly Valley. This does not mean it has a butterfly sanctuary, although you can see many butterflies thereabouts in the wild.

The best butterfly sanctuary is actually near Zhaoqing and located within Ding Hu Shan Buddhist Mountain - some 90 minutes by coach from Foshan city centre.

Hot springs
There are many hot springs in the area, although none in Foshan city itself. Most are an hour or two distant and centred around either Guangzhou or Tai Shan. These places are excellent and usually feature different pools of varying temperatures set within a hotel complex. You do not have to be a patron to use them. One near Guangzhou is a mud version, whilst we recommend another due south of Tai Shan City on the road to Gong Hoi.

Nanhai Film and Television Studio
This is one of CCTV's main film locations and offers a very interesting and different activity for tourists. There are far too many permanent sets to list here, but it is definitely worth a half day visit at least. Kids will love it, and there is quite a lot to do. The studio is located just north of Foshan on the Guihe Highway - or about 20 minutes in a taxi from the Foshan Hotel.

Ethnic villages and cultural replica working villages from history
There are several of these within easy reach from Foshan city centre, and others a little further afield. Lets give you a short list:

Xi'an Cave is the highlight of Xi'an village resort, set on Tea Mountain. Here you can also see taoist architecture and fine gardens with babbling brooks running through.
Open: 8.30 to 18.00
Price: Y20
Tel: 86802233

DaQiTou Ancient Village is located in Leping Town, San Shui District, so allow 1-hour to get there from Foshan centre. This remains a working village of traditional culture, and features typical wok-handled roofs of the late Qing Empire.
Open: 9.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 18.00.
Price: Y3.5
Tel: 87386548

Old Foshan
is located to the north of the city centre, and near Jusco. These dwellings feature traditional wokhandled roofs and are still used by local residents today. Foshan Tourist Board promotes DongHua Lane in their guidebook, although there are many of these old streets still to be seen elsewhere. You will also find many of these just off Fulu Road, which runs south from Jusco main entrance crossroads.

FengJian Old Village, also known as Shunde Zhou Village, is located in Xiangtan, Shunde. It is surrounded by river and water and the ancient style of life has been preserved. Traditionally residents built their houses along the river and boats play a central role in village life.
Entrance free of charge.
Contact: 27381120 or 27381186 for more information.
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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