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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: Sherman, displaying Tai Chi Arts

Image: Channel 6 Live Music Bar
Tourist Guides for China
Foshan Tourist Guide (March 2010)
Foshan City Tour
Related Pages:
Introduction
Culture
City Tour - This Page
City Districts
Regional Attractions
Sample Day at Dong Jian
Shopping
Kung Fu
Zoos, Water and Theme Parks, Museums

City Tour
Let us begin with things you need to know, such as local landmarks and centres of interest:

Understanding Foshan City

1. Bai Hua Plaza ('Ba Fa' in Cantonese) is the city centre, and is based around the green building with a ball on top that is your first picture on the left.

2. It is located on Zumiao Lu (Jo Mu Lo in approximate Cantonese), and is the main road in Foshan centre. Situated a short distance along this road are: The Ancestral Temple, Carrianna Hotel, Foshan Folk Arts Museum, and The Revolving Hotel.

3. Zumiao Road ends with a T-Junction Go ahead diagonally right for Jusco and Tour Mall, which are situated side by side near Chaoyang Hospital at the start of Jinhua Road. The sidestreet's are full of interest, and following your nose should work fine.

4. If you were to turn left at the end of Zumiao Road, and then right at the next big road ( Feng Jiang Middle Road), you would come to the Main Bus Station, which is located with 3 x Computer Cities adjacent. This is where to catch coaches to any part of China, the Airport at Guangzhou, and Hong Kong or Macao. Above is the new Computer City, which is OK. Before it is a very new Computer City which is expensive, but has the latest stuff. Past it and set back a bit is the old Computer City which is where you can buy very cheap and reliable computers, peripheral devices and sundries.

This area is named Hongyun on the Google map, but locals all refer to is as 'Hong Wan'.

5. Immediately after crossing the river bridge there is a small bus station on your left - this services Privately operated coaches to Guangzhou Tian He only.

6. If you head North on Feng Jiang Road you will come to the Railway Station, which is across a small river bridge, passed the small bus station, and on you right. There is one through train each day which starts at Zhao Qing (Siu Heng), Foshan, Guangzhou East Railway Station, and arrives in Hong Kong. Obviously there is a complimentary train each day in the opposite direction. It is a great way to travel, but I have never found the midday schedules to be convenient. However, there are hourly trains to Guangzhou and other destinations (Subject to alteration)

7. Travelling in the other direction from the Main Bus Station, there is a major road to your right called SiZhi Road. Just down here is another small bus station which services Privately operated coaches to Shunde Daliang (Goes through Long Jiang Town) and San Shway. They are very green, and very efficient.

8. The next major road junction South is the crossing with Renmin Road. On your right is the main Regional Branch of The Bank of China. If you have any monetary worries that do not relate to Western Union, then go here.

For Western Union, only The Agricultural Bank and The Post Office (Nightmare!), called China Post with a dark green logo can help you. Most Branches of The Agricultural Bank have English speaking staff and can receive payments. You need to go to a very major Branch to send money overseas, especially to obscure destination like Peru - which I did once. In which case I recommend the Branch on Jia Hua 5 Road at Dong Jian Century Plaza = excellent service!

9. The Magic Roundabout
Foshan actually has 3 traffic roundabouts, with one being part of the Foshan Avenue intersection with 'University', and a second near the rotatring hotel. Ignoring these, the one we are left with is just up the road, and again situated along Feng Jiang Middle Road. Many visitors may consider this to be the centre of their world, so I will spend some time on this area...

a. Approaching this roundabout from the North ie - form the Main bus and railway stations, Little India restaurant is on your left just before the roundabout. The Hotel on your left services coaches to Panyu and The Clifford Garden. Bai Hua Plaza is a short distance up the road on your immediate left. Along this road on your right is an excellent private jeweller, quite near the main Bai Hua end.

For pedestrians, crossing the road is 'interesting', as you are normally forced to take the underpass walkways, which get very confusing as this services 5-roads with both pavements included = 10 exits. Any exit directions are only in Chinese and they are also used by motorcycles and small vehicles - so I snapped the last photo on this page here, thinking the guy was taking a nap whilst trying to figure out how to exit towards his intended destination. This thoroughfare also has trinket stalls and food vendors, so I guess many locals also get confused as to how best to escape? The City has even provided a fountain and small swimming pool, presumably to keep trapped persons entertained.

b. If you manage to go straight across this intersection, and end up on the left-hand side of the same road (Feng Jiang Zhong Lu); then the Foshan Hotel (Now Crowne Plaza) is a short distance in front on your left. It virtually occupies the whole block, and is being extended also.

c. Directly opposite is Jen's Bar, which is the old John's Bar. I suggest you walk passed the Foshan hotel and cross at the pedestrian crossing - unless you want to try the roundabout underpass again?

i. Crossing the road here and not turning right, but stepping a few yards further forwards will bring you to the doors of a trendy bar, which has live entertainment upstairs at night, and large screen Western sports beneath. Further along is what we call 'DVD Street', as there are dozens of shops selling all types of films and music. Let us go back and continue are journey.

d. We have turned right above, and passed by the entrance to Jen's Bar. At the end of this block and overlooking 'the magic roundabout', is the Golden City Hotel. This hotel is ok, but is now host to John's Bar, one of only two Western restaurants I recommend in the whole of Foshan City District. This is located on the second floor.

e. When you pass by this hotel and reach the roundabout proper, you will find a small and tricky road to your left. This is Feng Jiang West Road (Confusingly named to aid travellers), and leads past the university directly (On your left after under passing Foshan Avenue), to Ceramics City. Here are also located Artists Street and Nan Feng Kiln - all within a stones throw of each other. There is a lovely park behind linking them together.

f. Crossing this road brings you to The Swissotel, which is newly completed and Foshan's tallest building. It occupies the whole of the corner plot, and has plush malls associated within its design. The hotel actually occupies the top 15 floors of this building. It is regarded as being Foshan's only 5***** Star hotel of International standard.

g. The next small road is easier to cross on foot, and brings you to yet another quality hotel. I have not listed this as a hotel, because we have no feedback about it yet. However, it is also home to Foshan's best foot massage parlour. This is too the degree that if you suffer from any foot or ear problem (Yes, they also have expert ear cleaners on staff), then I would use this place in preference to any Hospital!

h. Rounding this complex, you are now back on Feng Jiang Zhong Lu, headed in the opposite direction - with Little India on your right, and the main bus station ahead.

9. The city district called Shiwan is home to Foshan China Ceramics City, and the mecca for all people wanting to buy bathroom ceramics and appliances; or to buy some of the finest artwork in the whole of China. This also includes glassworks, and fine examples of working with marble and granite.

From The Magic Roundabout, head down Feng Jiang West Road (Xi Lu), and passing underneath Foshan Avenue, and then University, enter Jiang Wan 1st Road. You will come  to a very major traffic intersection after about 2-miles. This is the intersection with Ji Hua Lu, another extremely important road in Foshan. Opposite and slightly right is Foshan Ceramic's City; a large purpose build showcase of bathroom products, now being given over to tiles. You would probably need about 1-week to visit every showroom inside, it really is that big! The major bathroom companies have since moved all their showrooms out of this building and into the surrounding streets, Ji Hua being the very most important.

a. If you were to travel directly past this exhibition centre (On your right), then you would come to Nan Feng Ancient Kiln, which is up the first major sideroad on your right. Hereabouts is the Fine Arts area, before you hit the also ran's and up-and-comers. The Fine Arts area is situated around a sort of 'Green' - meaning a triangular intersection with a green space in the middle.

b. Bearing right and straight on passed this, stop! You have just passed an interesting road that sort of disappears into 'something' on your right. The next road on your right is Artist's Street. This road is hyped all over China as being one of the best places to go for artistic interpretation and local skilled works. Its a load of bollocks, as all you find are non-local traders hawking their wares fronted by fancy shops sporting high prices. I am a little unfair, but not much.

I took my good friend Jim Chenoweth there, as he makes pottery and glass stuff, and was looking for 'Porcelain' = the fine white stuff, normally with blue pictures on it, that ordinary mortals know as 'Ming Vase'. He was very disappointed I think, but did like some of the works, which from memory included glazes to which Platinum was added. I'm not into this, but love a good piece - so it could just as easily have been Titanium, or some other rare metal?

Do not be mistaken, what they sell here is very good, and sometimes exceedingly good or even exquisite! It just wasn't what he was looking for that day. Some of the shops here really are worth a visit - its just that he was expecting artists treddling wheels and producing fine works of art. Instead on the day of our visit, the street was lined with packing cases of produce coming in, or being shipped out = 50-50.

There is an Artists Street here, or rather, a warren of backstreets where there are real studio's occupied by crazy artists who make what their heart tells them to. These are very difficult to find, but basically it is 'Left a bit'.

At the end of this street it opens out to a wonderful and peaceful park, featuring a large meandering lake, restaurants, and a wall sculpture about 30 yards high by 200 yards long - made out of toilets with water overflowing the display. This is highlighted by a very large pink sculpture that is set aside, and highlights the essence of 'women'. Quite bizarre, and sticks in the memory somewhat. What a pair they were!

10. Let us retrace our steps, and head East along Ji Hua Lu. This is probably the forth most important road in Foshan, after: Zumiao, Foshan Avenue, and Feng Jiang Lu. Whilst the above are all more or less orientated North-South, Ji Hua Lu is West-East, and slightly south of the city proper. It is also the longest road in Foshan, stretching for about 20 miles or more all told.

a. Heading from Ceramics City East on Ji Hua 4 Road, we pass the posh ceramics showrooms, and at the interchange with Foshan Avenue, have a lovely area of eating establishment to our left immediately before this junction. The Turtle Restaurant and Siu Yeah'r are located here.

b. If you were to turn right, then you would very soon come to a bus lay by - and this is one of the very best places to catch private coaches to all parts of Southern Guangdong.

c. Crossing Foshan Avenue, Siu Fai Yearm restaurant is just up the second road on your right; whilst the next set of traffic lights is the intersection with Feng Jiang Lu. Feng Jiang Zhong Lu is left, and Feng Jiang Nan (South) Road is right (As is MacDonald's and a supermarket). The new metro opens a station here later in 2010.

d. Crossing this intersection you will find Ji Hua Park to your right, which is one of the most popular public parks at night, and features many pastimes including: Tai Chi in the mornings, kids during the day, and evening Waltz's and other weird European dancing styles. Totally worth a look around 9pm.

We are now entering the new centre of Foshan, where the Municipal Government is located. Let's continue along Ji Hua Lu and I'll pinpoint places of interest from other pages for you.

i. Immediately after Ji Hua Park ends is a road to your right. 30 yards up this road is 'Ho Sum Lao' restaurant, situated at the end of the first street on your left. Keep going straight and at the end of the next block on your left, possibly another 600 yards, is 'The Goose Restaurant'.

ii. Back on Ji Hua Lu we then encounter a set of major traffic lights. Park and Shop is immediately on your left. Go left here to find Superline about half a mile down on your right, with The Golden Sun restaurant just beyond (And Golden Lake Hotel just beyond this). This is a good experience, even for 'boys'.

iii. Passing through these traffic lights your landmark is the pedestrian footbridge overhead:

e. 'Gui Wah Fo' Chong' is the Chinese supermarket that occupies the entire block to your left. It may look like a load of small shops, but they all are leased from the gigantic supermarket that lurks behind and covers two floor of this entire city block. Every commercial driver in Guangdong knows exactly where 'Gui Wah Fo' Chong' is! This is your local landmark.

Update 1st July 2010: The long proposed redevelopment of Gui Wah Fo Chong is finally under way. The entire block is being demolished and turned into a modern shopping mall, destined to be the largest in Foshan. We understand building works are scheduled to take 18 months, completing in time for Chinese New Year 2012.

f. Conversely, your international landmark lies just across the footbridge and is known as 'Dong Jian Century Plaza'. This is regarded as being the new city centre of Foshan, and I do like this area very much - and so much so I lived here for over 5-years. Please read our related page Sample Day for a more in depth look at this area

Exiting the footbridge on the other side of the road, you will be outside KFC on your left = this is your directional landmark in English terms. Carry on up this road for 50 yards, and you will see The Bank of China across the road and slightly left. This building contains one of the very few ATM's that work with any type of Visa card. The machine you want to use is the old one in the middle (Left is a bank deposit machine, and right is another machine that has the same stickers on it - but refuses to work with my Visa Card). The central machine is topped up each day between 10 and 11 am, and it is out of action for this time period. If you want cash - then hit this one ATM at 11.30 ... and magically, it will be so!

Feeling flush you will step out of the cash-point and look around. Directly opposite is the Private Hospital, which is an excellent place to go if you have any medical concern. Probably the best hospital I have ever had the pleasure to know, including UK. They do not use 'injections', preferring instead to use an intravenous drip = far better for your body, but allow 30 minutes for this extra.

Straight on and down the facing road are DJ Cafe, the Bentily Hotel, Bull Bull restaurant, one entrance to the wetmarket, and Ho Sum Lao (Hao Shun Lao in Mandarin), whilst just across to your left are:

i. Cheap hotel.
ii. Chicken Restaurant.
iii. Xi'an Restaurant.
iv. Hunan Restaurant.
v. Kingdom hotel

China Unicom:
If you go right, then opposite is China Unicom, the best place to buy their mobile phones and top up a China Unicom card. Virtually all of Foshan uses China Mobile, so if you are with this other network, then go here.

Western Union:
Back at the main road and there is a very large branch of The Agricultural Bank of China. This is a very good bank, and the branch you are outside is the one you can send money to all the weird places in the world using Western Union. To do so, go in the main doors and immediately right and up the stairs. Despite what is advertised hereabouts, the counter you want is located just in front and right a tad. The staff speak excellent English (Unlike China Post), and will be very pleased to help you. From this Branch I sent money to Peru - not a normal transaction! It works for a linguistically challenged Englishman in Foshan...

...Virtually all Branches of The Agricultural Bank in Foshan City can receive money from outside China (In any currency, but delivered in RMB to you)- which may be your immediate concern?

Only The Agricultural Bank and China Post can offer Western union services in Foshan City. The Post Office staff are wonderful and have a heart of gold - we just don't share any comprehension of a common language, complicated by their tiered queuing systems, which is incomprehensible to me?

So back at the Bank of China:

Let's turn right here and walk under the second enclosed footbridge instead. What you need to know is that:
1. The two Thai (Malaysian) restaurants in Foshan are just in front of you.
2. Martino's Canadian restaurant is to your right and then on the immediate left corner.
3. The 24 hour China Mobile ATM phone thingymagig is to your left and a block on.
4. Wall Mart is at the very end of this block (Going left a bit, then straight on).
5. The existent best 'Hairwashy' is on your right across the main road, and shortly after is the very best 'Foot-Massagey' - Closes 4am.
6. Reaching Wall Mart, you now have the Foshan TV and Radio tower in front of you, Spheres for the 2010 Asia Games left a bit, and you are now on Dai Fu't Lo (Lingnan Donglu).

If we were to continue then we would soon reach Nanhai Gui Cheung, which is ostensibly a part of Foshan city proper, but has a different local government and thinking. It is very hard to distinguish where one ends and the other begins - a bit like Birmingham vs The Black Country in UK Midlands. But then again, I am a Staffordshire Boy, so what do I know about lines arbitrary politicians chose to draw as segregational areas on a political map?

If you understand that, then you will understand that 'Greater' Foshan City is similar in many respects.

Here is China!

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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Image: Bank of China, Dong Jian Century Plaza, Foshan

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

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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

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