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Image: Ancient and Modern Mix in Modern Foshan

Image: Anne and Sophie Demonstrate Kung Fu in Foshan

Image: The Art of Chinese Motorcycle Zen, as practiced by a Motorcycle Taxi. Complete with Rider Taking-5. This Machine Appears to Feature the Latest in Ergonomic Design

Image: Fun with Clay at Foshan Nanfeng Ancient Kiln

Image: View From The Golden Lake Hotel, Overlooking my Gaff and Foshan TV & Radio Tower

Image: Foshan TV Tower at Night

Image: A Pretty Girl, Now My Wife!

Image: Jonno and Siu Ying at Siu Yeahr

Image: Caroline and Chris take a fast cab in Long Jiang

Image: The Foshan Hotel

Image: The Owner of my Local Corner Shop

Image: The Local Park

Image: The stairs leading up to old John's Bar - now Jen's Bar

Image: Local Security Being Overly 'Officious' and Toasting me with a Cup of Tea hehe. Here is China!

Image: The Veg man I use at the local Wet Market

Image: John's Bar & wouldn't you Know it - Yuyi Loves Tacos

Image: Street Mah Jong

Image: A Local Scavenger Woman Taking a Break From The Pressures of Modern City Life in Foshan

Image: The Usual Suspects enjoying Siu Fei Yuerm Restaurant, Foshan

Image: Ancient Nan Feng Kiln

Image: Ancient Nan Feng Kiln, China's oldest working Dragon Kiln

Image: The actual Dragon Kiln

Image: Dong Jian Century Plaza

Image: A peaceful backwater

Image: If the pavements get full of traffic you better walk in the street

Image: Locals usually take a nap after lunch

Image: Chinese Art Moon Disc

Image: Ade and Tommy

Image: Sherman, displaying Tai Chi Arts

Image: Gaogong Camp Accommodation

Image: Girls using our army assault course

Image: Christmas 2008

Image: Dong Jian Fountain
Tourist Guides for China
Foshan Tourist Guide (March 2010)
Hotels
Before You Book:
Please be aware that most travel agencies advertise their City Centre hotels as being near 'The Bus Station'.This is a misrepresentation - as whilst it is true there is a small bus station a few yards from the centre, 'The Main Foshan Bus Station' is located some 2-miles away near the train station. This may be very important for some visitors.

Where to Stay:

There are a very good range of hotels, from International standard 5 star, to a local Chinese 2 star:

Swissôtel is the newest hotel in Foshan, and is a proper international standard 5***** Hotel. Their description follows:

"Swissôtel Foshan is a five star luxury hotel catering to today's discerning modern business and leisure travellers. The first international hotel in the city, Swissôtel Foshan aims to establish itself as an icon in the business community. The hotel symbolizes luxury, elegance and impeccable service.

Rising to the height of 208 metres, Swissôtel Foshan is the tallest building and a prominent landmark in Foshan. It occupies the top 15 levels of the 51-storey Foshan International Plaza, providing a graciously intimate and tranquil environment.

Swissôtel Foshan is conveniently located near the Zumiao Commercial District and the Fenjiang Financial District, and is just minutes from Foshan Highway, an expressway linking Foshan to Guangzhou and Shunde. "

We have emailed Swissôtel Foshan (18th March 2010), and have requested their address as a picture for you to print and give to any taxi driver. Hopefully this will also have their telephone number on it. Our third email was sent today; Monday, 12th July 2010. This paragraph will be removed if they can be bothered to reply to our email. Our latest email:

Despite the very high profile given to this hotel, we find it unnacceptable they ignore three emails from a client. You may consider whether they would treat your booking in similar fashion? We expect (And receive) better customer service from backstreet Chinese 2** Star hotels. Let this be your guide.


Traditionally the best hotel in Foshan is The Foshan Hotel. This is very central, but has been taken over by Crown Plaza Group; the refurbishments being completed during late 2009 - and at great discomfort to their guests and other clientele. The best price used to be around Y600 per double room per night, but expect this to rise? Early indications we have received indicate that whilst this hotel has become a lot more flashy and consumer orientated, it is not as good as it used to be concerning core business when compared to before the takeover. Basically Crowne Plaza have 'dumbed-it down = it costs more and does less for their paying clients benefit. Take a look at http://www.tripadvisor.com' and you will note it is regarded as being below standard for Crowne Plaza. We also know the Carrianna Hotel, and Kingdom Hotel chains are more popular with visiting businessmen these days. Swissôtel is very new, so we exclude them from our finding for now awaiting real feedback - or a reply to any of our emails?

This hotel is also a base for many luxury coaches, especially to Hong Kong, Macao, Ferry terminal for Kowloon (Online ticket booking); and also runs special Airport and Canton Fair coaches. These are all open to everyone, although non-patrons will be charged Y100 inclusive of entry fee for Canton Fair, but free for Hotel residents. This hotel has an excellent Business Centre, only matched by The Carris Anne Hotel
     
  Print the picture below and give to your taxi driver  
   

Carris Anne Hotel also called the Carrianne Hotel and formerly the Hua Qiao Hotel, but should nowadays be properly be called 'The Carrianna Hotel' is excellent for Business and is the most central hotel in Foshan. It also offers luxury coaches to Hong Kong and Macao via different operators from everyone else in this city, with cheaper prices and the same quality. This hotel does have superb international restaurants and bars, complete with excellent massage parlous and nightclub all within the same complex. It also features a swimming pool for patrons and their guests.

If I were an international traveller seeking refuge in a strange and sometimes alien culture, yet wanting totally dedicated tourist or business services with excellent multi-lingual staff support, then this is the hotel I would personally choose to stay at in Foshan.
     
  Print the picture below and give to your taxi driver  
 

or the local name is below

 

The Fortuna Hotel is located in Le Cong Town, at the very heart of Foshan District, Shunde Long Jiang Furniture City. Basically 10-minutes taxi from Downtown Foshan. This area is mind-bogglingly massive! It is a part of a roadway and conurbation that is 15 miles long by at least one mile wide - they are all furniture manufacturers and their supportive suppliers. I have still to meet any first-time foreigner to China that can imagine industry on this scale! Figures from 2008 now released state that this small area was responsible for 54% of total Chinese furniture exports by value, and 68% by volume. So if you are into 'furniture' then you should stay at the Fortuna Hotel.

This hotel is 5/4 Star rating, and has the usual connections available from the foyer to: Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou International Airport. Their menu caters for all International clientele, but it is the breakfast that makes it for me: Savoury toast or rolls with real butter, bacon that does not have 10-tons of honey added to it, 'almost' English sausages, and eggs cooked to order. But the clincher for me personally: they will ask you if you want cherry tomatoes in your fruit salad? "NO!". As an Englishman, I would probably feel most relaxed if I was staying at this hotel, as all the staff speak English, and the food is very equivalent and recognisable.
     
  Print the picture below and give to your taxi driver  
   


Opposite the Foshan Hotel is the Golden City Hotel, which is a little cheaper but quite comparable in most respects. It also runs coaches, but is now more famous as the new home of John's Bar, arguably the best Western Restaurant and Bar in Foshan - although Martino's is also excellent!
     
  Print the picture below and give to your taxi driver  
   
If you are calling:
1. Internationally, then dial: 0086 757 + number above.
2. From within China or Guangzhou, then dial: 0757 + number above.
3. From Foshan, then just dial: number above from a local phone.

The Golden Lake Hotel is also excellent, and better than its 3*** rating. There are friends pictures to your left. You should get a very good deal here Circa Y480 per suite per night. It seems there is no proper bar, but their all-hours shop beats room service charges hands down!
     
  Print the picture below and give to your taxi driver  
   
If you are calling:
1. Internationally, then dial: 0086 757 + number above.
2. From within China or Guangzhou, then dial: 0757 + number above.
3. From Foshan, then just dial: number above on a local phone.

Rotating Palace Hotel is located at 1 Zumiao Road and close to Jusco and the Foshan Arts Studio. Its central location and cheap room rates make it very popular with travelers. Rooms are renowned as being large in size, but the beds are hard, which is typical in China. The hotel is famous for its rotating restaurant that rises from the roof.
Image: Rotating Palace Hotel logo


Studio Apartments - If your stay is a little longer, or you have staff  or family accompanying you, then look at the Sunlight Apartments (Details from 'TripAdvisor.com). Again fairly central and very close to JinMa Cinema, + you gain some independence for less than Y400 per suite per night. There are a range of rooms and styles, all featuring a kitchenette and layout more like a proper apartment on long-term rental.

The Kingdom Hotel, Dong Jian
I personally recommend this hotel, especially if all you need is a bed, a shower and somewhere safe to keep you luggage - price about £30 per double roomed suite per night. This hotel is right in the centre of all that is best about Foshan, and just a 5-minute walk from my apartment. Their website isn't the best in the world, but it works - just click around a bit. I can get you a discount here, so price is Y 298 to you (Canton Fair excepted).
Image: Kingdom Hotel near Dong Jian Plaza
The kingdom Hotel Group offer 5 hotels in Foshan - which can get a little confusing; especially as the one located at Dong Jian is the only one we know of that offers suites with internet broadband standard (A full computer set-up is Y30 per day if you haven't brought your laptop). The lobby also has a couple of PC's free for guest's use; and they can sort out printing, copying and basic business services for you free of charge. The three and only suites are individually styled and pukka. Whilst the staff sort of speak English, they are very professional and competent.
Images - Click to Enlarge:
Standard Room Y268 prpn
Image: Standard Room Internet - Click to Enlarge Image: Standard Room Double Bed - Click to Enlarge Image: Standard Room Bathroom - Click to Enlarge Image: Standard Room Bathroom with curtain - Click to Enlarge Image: Standard Room Entrance - Click to Enlarge Image: Reception Area - Click to Enlarge
Business Suite Y 368 prpn
Image: Business Suite lounge - Click to Enlarge Image: Business Suite lounge reverse view - Click to Enlarge Image: Business Suite Bathroom - Click to Enlarge Image: Business Suite Basin - Click to Enlarge Image: Business Suite Large Double Bed - Click to Enlarge Image: Business Suite Internet - Click to Enlarge

The Bentily Hotel is just round the corner along the road opposite the Bank of China. It is next door to a Western style restaurant with a great big Bull outside the door. This is comparable in many respects with the Kingdom Hotel, with both prices and rooms being on a par. However, this can be a little noisy due to the wet market behind, but the showers are amazing. Image: Bentily Hotel, Dong Jian - Click to Enlarge

Chinese local hotels
Nearby Dong Jian Century Plaza are many local Chinese hotels that offer basic rooms from Y90 single bed, and Y130 double bed. They are of "Travelodge" standard, and all prices quoted here are per room per night (As with the hotels above). If all you need is a large clean bathroom with Western toilet, double bed for the night, friendly staff and are willing to dip your toes into the wild-side of life - then these places offer unbeatable value.

You can find these by looking inside the door. There should be a girl behind a counter, some stairs leading up a narrow passage, and perhaps a board of room rates in Chinese? The one we use often is very good - with Chinese quirks. For instance, the sheets and towels are always freshly cleaned, their is air-conditioning, cable TV, a water machine and snacks are available in the form of sweets and pot noodles. The large double bed (Hard of course) is accompanied by a range of drawers and a large wardrobe, a table and chairs. The separate bathroom also comes with bath and hand towels and miniature soaps and shampoos, toothbrush with paste, and other incidentals. So what are the quirks? Well, whilst there is a Western style sit on toilet - none of them are fitted with seats. The shower works well - but is of the hand-held Chinese type with no wall fixture. The rooms on the 4th floor have carpet laid, but as there is no lift it is a long climb. Similar large rooms are also on the 2nd floor, but these do not have carpet. These are very cheap hotels, so there is no use complaining about standards once you accept the room. Therefore check the room properly and go elsewhere if it is not to your liking.

Similar looking establishments that have a girl in a traditional Chinese (Red) dress (Full length with slits all the way up both sides!) are foot massage parlour's. These establishments would - unlike their Western counterparts, frown upon offering any sexual services. They are very genuine, but not hotels - as sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.

If this is your thing, then the Cantonese for 'Hotel' sounds like 'Jow Dim' (d'zhao d'iem).
Image: Cheap Hotel business card details

Image: Cheap Hotel business card map

Image: Cheap Hotel bedroom 1

Image: Cheap Hotel bedroom 2
Image: Cheap Hotel wash basin and accessories   Image: Cheap Hotel WC   Image: Cheap Hotel shower

Pictures above were taken in the hotel who's business card we also show. The rate for this room was Y90 per night. Whilst the toilet has no seat, it is clean and they do provide tissue paper; as well as soap, shampoo, body wash, toothbrush and paste pack, etc. These are free of charge, as is a water machine which provides both hot and chilled water (If you remember to switch it on). Basic, clean, cheap, and ideal if all you need is a central place to crash-out for the night.

Youth Hostels

China doesn't really have any concept of Youth Hostels as we know them in the West. Apart from what China Expats is trying to create; as a Foreigner your best bet is to rock-up at a University or school and ask the Principal if they have a room to spare. Whilst the deal may appear good, you would probably be expected to offer impromptu 'English Salon' and contribute your language resources to the school community. Not as bad in Universities to be frank, but not really what most travellers are looking for I am sure. However it is a great way to make new and lasting friends, and learn about your immediate environment at the same time.

Apartments
Chinese don't really like to rent apartments on a monthly basis, but may consider it - usually the minimum is 6-months for anything remotely decent. By comparison it's usually 1 year in UK. Your contract will probably mean nothing, and enforcing it could prove to be a nightmare.

Rooms
China does do very cheap rooms on a monthly basis. Expect to pay around Y400 RMB per month in Foshan in 2010 for a bedsit inside a larger apartment.

Pros: These places are very cheap if all you need is a base to work from and a place to sleep

Cons: These places really are not secure, and it is common for a Chinese person to return home and find their door bashed-in, and all their belongings either robbed or defiled. As a (perceived Rich) Foreigner you will be top of the hit- list. However, these places are extremely cost-effective if you are in a situation to carry any valuables on your person at all times = credit cards, etc...

If you want to find one of these rooms in Foshan, then you will need the help of a local language translator (and wouldn't you know it - we can help of course), and nominally one-months deposit up-front + payment for the month. They are normally located inside any Chinese 'Block', or the places you would have second thoughts about venturing into in the first place. They are actually quite safe, but you need to get your mind right first.
 

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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Foshan Hotels
Image: Swisshotel, Foshan

Image: Foshan Hotel, now Crowne Plaza

Image: Carrianna Hotel, Foshan

Image: Fortuna Hotel, Le Cong

Image: Kingdom Hotel

Image: Home Inn Bai Hua Square
Foshan Fotofile
Image: Bank of China, Dong Jian Century Plaza, Foshan

Image: Footbridge connecting KFC at Dong Jian Plaza, with Gui Wah Fo Chong

Image: KFC at Dong Jian Century Plaza

Image: Bank of China behind You, KFC in front of You. Dong Jian Century Plaza, Foshan

Image: Same spot looking right towards Martino's restaurant. Bank of China on your right, KFC to your left

Image: Same place, opposite view. This is a very good private hospital on the corner. It is deceptively large and rises 5-floors.  DJ Cafe ahead on right. Kingdom hotel left 200 yards.

Image: DJ Cafe, near Dong Jian Century Plaza, Foshan

Image: Bentily Hotel

Image: Bull Bull Restaurant. Right side, alley to wetmarket

Image:  Hao Shun Lao restaurant, near Dong Jian Century Plaza, Foshan

Image: Alley to the wetmarket at the side of the private hospital. Bank of China behind you

Image: Chicken Restaurant

Image: Xi'an Restaurant

Image: Hunan Restaurant

Image: Hair Washey

Image:  Red Cafe, a western style reataurant next to the Kingdom Hotel

Image: Rave Party nightclub - one of the best in Foshan

Image: Turtle Restaurant

Image: Foshan Blood Bank

Image: RBT Restaurant

Image: Goose Restaurant

Image: Food Mall

Image: Jusco

Image: Channel 6 Live Music Bar
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