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| Tourist
Guides for China |
Foshan Tourist
Guide (August 2011)
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Kung Fu |
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Kung Fu
Foshan City is the World's leading home of Kung Fu and
offers tourism and training in various Kung Fu styles.
Kung Fu is known as 'Gongfu' in Cantonese, and you will
encounter many other problems concerning western spelling
of Kung Fu terms, especially regarding the names of
various styles - and we could write a whole page just
on this subject alone. Here's you taster for 2:
• Huang is Mandarin for yellow. Wong is Cantonese.
• Hung is Honk Kong Cantonese for red. Mandarin
and Mainland Cantonese is Hong.
We will introduce tourist venues first, take a look
at some famous real life and film performers, before
looking at serious Schools of Training
at the bottom of this page:
What is Kung Fu?
Kung Fu is not just a martial art used in hand to hand
combat, but 5 related disciplines that actually date
back to The Human Sovereign Shennong, the son of The
Heavenly Sovereign Fuxi and the Earthly Sovereign Nüwa;
dated arbitrarily before 5, 000 BC, but less than 10,
000 BC. He invented medicine, which is foremost of the
Kung Fu arts. You should take this to mean modern Chinese
medicine only.
Writing, especially Calligraphy is the second. This
is because the same skills are required to wield both
a pen and a sword. For clarification watch the film
'Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and it will become clear to
you. The third is mental skill, which includes meditation,
study and understanding. The forth is Swordsmanship,
and the fifth is unarmed combat.
Acrobatics and Lion Dance are also central to teachings,
and here I am not referring to tourist spectacles where
a couple of guys or girls don a lion costume and prance
about. This is a defined art, which if you have ever
seen it performed properly, then you will know it is
extremely difficult and breathtaking to watch. Below
we will deal with only the unarmed combat version, although
references to Lion Dance are included. Kung Fu is always
open to both boys and girls, who are taught together
in the same class suited to their personal level of
proficiency.
Kung Fu Tourism
Ancestral Temple
The Ancestral Temple in the Centre of Foshan dates back
many centuries and was originally constructed in 1085;
but is latterly most famous as the home of Master Ip
Man, who was Bruce Lee's sifu or Master. Bruce was a
regular visitor to Foshan, although his parental home
lies some distance away in Shunde Daliang. The temple
is relatively large and may need several hours to see
all. There are performances including traditional Buddhist
music and Lion Dance, but check out the times when you
enter. This is also a good place to find reasonably
priced and genuine souvenirs. There is also a museum
and hall dedicated to the memory of Deng Xiao Ping -
the founder of Shenzhen and the Policy of Openness.
The temple is known as 'Jo Mu' in Cantonese, correctly
'zhou mu'; and is Zu Miao ( 祖庙 ) in Mandarin. It is
located in the heart of the city along Zumiao Road,
and a minutes walk from Bai Hua (The big green building
with a ball on top - pictured left). The entrance is
centrally situated, with the ticket office set to the
left hand side. This area is beset with beggars, and
foreigners are their number one target. However, do
not let this put you off visiting this great attraction.
Immediately to your left upon entry is a stand that
makes and sells jade seals (Stamp in candlewax). They
will make to your own design within an hour. Further
left is the Kung Fu memorial hall, which features rooms
dedicated to Ip Man, Bruce Lee, Wong Fei Hung, and other
great Masters. Heading deeper into the complex and keeping
left, you will find a craftsman making Foshan Paper
Cuts. Left from here is the Kung Fu school complex,
with two practice arenas. There is also a museum of
musical instruments situated here, and adjacent to a
mural depicting the atrocities committed by foreign
forces in the late Qing Empire, with a description in
English. Behind the latter and up some stairs in the
wall is a fantastic shop selling all manner of authentic
Chinese souvenirs at sensible prices. It is hard to
find! Be careful here, as one door leads down and out
into a sidestreet.
Returning to the paper cutter, you will enter a complex
behind his stall, which serves as Buddhist temple complete
with many rare artifacts. Several interlinked rooms
lead out to an open air pool full of carp and terrapins
(A Chinese thing all temples have). Progress through
this and right a touch to an open air theatre complex
and restaurant, combined. This is where Cantonese (Yue)
Opera is performed. Progressing along the right hand
side of the complex you will find the memorial halls
dedicated to Deng Xiao Ping and Cantonese Opera. Foreign
tourists will find this quite missable, unless you are
into this sort of thing, in Chinese writing only? However,
outside are several interesting stalls selling knickknacks,
some of which can be personalised or made to order in
a few minutes. Dotted around this area are several displays
of dilapidated antique things, such as traditional boats
and sowing machines set in large glass cases. There
is another restaurant here, and the public toilets are
located nearby down a nondescript alley. Behind the
alley and fronting the main road outside is a garden
area. Bearing right brings you back to the entrance
- or should that be exit?
Opening times: 8.30 am to 6 pm
Ticket Price: Y20
Tel: 0757 82221680
Xi Qiao Kung Fu
XiQiao is perhaps the most significant Pearl in this
vast River Delta. It is a renowned scenic spot, Buddhist
temple complex, and home to everything that embodies
ultimate and state of the arts Chinese Kung Fu. Teachings
are based upon 'HuangFeiHong' (Wong Fei Hung in Cantonese,
versions) style 'Gongfu'. Huang Fei Hong came to Foshan
as a young boy, with his Father and other disciples
as they fled Imperial persecution from the Shaolin Temple
in neighbouring Fujian Province. They settled in Nanhai
(The name of Foshan City District at that time), and
in a new home - which you can still visit today. There
is now a very major Martial Arts School there. Lessons
are available, and easily booked - if you know how?
Contact China Expats if you want this, and we will
sort it all for you + options for spouse and friends
who think you are maybe a little crazy?
Below is a quotation from the latest edition of Foshan
Tourist Guide:
"Foshan Hong Sheng Martial Arts Academy was established
in 1851 by a martial Master named Zhang Yan during the
Qing Dynasty. Time honoured and deeply influential,
the centre boasts a lot of followers. The members of
Hongsheng played a positive role in the past anti-feudalism
and anti-imperialism wars. Hongsheng Martial Arts Centre
has established branches in Hong Hong and abroad".
Opening times: 9 am to 5 pm
Bus numbers: 133, 141, 143
Tel: 0757 83217908
Xi Qiao Tourism
Xi Qiao (Si tew in Cantonese) also features 4 other
main tourist attractions in addition to the Kung Fu
Centre listed above. Buses will deliver you to the small
town of Xi Qiao, which nestles under the Northern wing
of the mountain. It is 'OK' in a nondescript sort of
way. Left and West a bit is the back entrance to the
hills complex of attractions. I mellowed away a very
comfortable afternoon here some years ago, which included
some shopping at local stalls, and an excellent foot
massage. This area also contains a few small fairground
attractions for kids.
There is also a formal entrance on the East side, but
both are a tad hard to locate unless your driver understands
exactly where you are headed for? This mountain has
a 'AAAA' rating regards tourism, whatever that implies?
Main attractions are: 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.
General opening times: 7.30am - 6pm
Through ticket price: Y50 inclusive for all attractions
Enquiries: 0757 86886646
Kung Fu Masters - Fact and Fiction
Huang Fei Hong
Huang Fei Hong (Wong Fei Hong in Cantonese) was a real
person who as a boy fled The Shaolin Temple in Fujian
Province with his Father and other disciples and their
families. His Father was actually one of the Junior
Masters, and others far more distinguished also accompanied
them on their journey. They settled in Nanhai, which
is nowadays the name of 1 of 5 Districts of Foshan City
District (Metropolitan County). For long periods of
history, Foshan City has also been called Nanhai Prefecture
- depending upon political winds no doubt. Please know
that if you are not local to this area, you should consider
Nanhai and Foshan to mean exactly the same thing.
Huang Fei Hong's Father settled in Luzhou Village, which
lies at the foot of Xiqiao Mountain. This is technically
in the modern City District of Nan Hai (Namhoi). Xi
Qiao Shan refers to the big hill clearly visible from
Foshan City centre to the Southwest, and it is quite
large with several entrances.
My understanding is that Huang Fei Hong was actually
a young boy when he arrived in Foshan, then known as
Nanhai Prefecture; and was not actually born here. We
have a dedicated page to Wong Fei Hong which you can
find here
Ip Man (Yip Man)
Ip Man (Yip Man) was a real life person and Wing Chun
Grand Master who lived in Foshan City. During the hardships
and atrocities of the Japanese invasion during WW2,
Ip Man became a champion of the ordinary people, and
showed a spirit that could not be broken. He was Grand
Master Wing Chun style Kung Fu and Bruce Lee's Sifu.
We have an in depth page solely dedicated to Ip Man,
his family history, and the development of Wing Chun
Kung Fu. It also features the Film 'Ip Man, with links
to a full film download. You can find this page here
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee (aka Lai Siu Long) is the first actor and
an exceptionally skilled Martial Arts disciple, who
popularised Kung Fu in Western cinemas during the 1970's.
He was born in California, but does have extremely strong
links with Hong Kong and Foshan. His Father was born
in a village, which is now a part of Daliang City, the
Capital of Shunde District, and another of the 5 Districts
of modern Foshan. Bruce Lee did visit his ancestral
home there once. This is now a working museum and Martial
Arts school. This can be included in tours of course
Bruce Lee's Master was called Master Ip Man, also known
as 'Yip Man'. He spent the last 20 years of his life
in The Ancestral Temple right in the city centre of
modern Foshan, which is also known as 'Zumiao'. Bruce
Lee did visit his Master there on many occasions, and
there is a museum and halls dedicated to Bruce, Master
Man, and other Kung Fu Masters within the temple complex
(See above).
To learn more about the real life of Bruce Lee, his
films, and Jeet Kune Do or the Way of the Intercepting
Fist, please see our dedicated page here
Jet Li
Jet Li (aka Lai Li-en Gi, Cantonese name) is arguably
the best current exponent of this art in modern mass
cinema. Jet Li is very highly respected in Foshan, and
an adopted son of the city fathers because of his excellent
Huang Fei Hong style Kung Fu skills. I am pretty sure
some of his films have been made at Foshan TV Town in
Nanhai District. He often plays the character of Huang
Fei Hong in his Chinese language films.
Again we offer a dedicated page of great detail about
Jet Li, which you can find here
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan (Sing Long) is highly revered for his skills
in Gongfu, and apart from his comedy, and projects for
less fortunate in HK, he also employs Wushu techniques
in some of his films. Jackie has recently opened an
academy in HK for teaching 'Gongfu for actors', and
is a child from Cantonese Opera and Drama backgrounds
= hence his unbelievable flexibility, speed, and spatial
awareness
Wushu style Kung Fu is a modern interpretation, made
famous in films. Wushu means 5 Ways, Books or Lessons;
and embodies ancient teachings into a new methology.
Wushu is largely castigated by traditionalists, whilst
being very popular with younger Chinese students who
cannot spare the time for complete studies of Martial
Arts. Wushu displays, performances and Teachings are
also available in Foshan.
As you would expect, we have a page dedicated to Jackie
Chan here
Other Film Stars
Our page Kung Fu Films
has pages dedicated to other stars such as Sammo
Hung and Yuan
Biao
For serious Western students of Kung Fu and
Hung Ga, then this link may be of interest:
Reference:
This morning I read your article by Tim Louie
http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=655
"About Tim Louie:
Tim Louie is a Hung Gar Practitioner, a Shorin-ryu Okinawan
Karate 5th Degree, a Kajukenbo Karate 6th Degree and
also studies Northern Kung-Fu, Tai Chi and Contemporary
Wushu. He is the creator of Thunderkicks shoes. This
article is a companion piece to In Search of the Real
Wong Fei Hung: The Wong Fei Hung Museum in Foshan, Guangdong,
China, in the May June 2006 issue of Kung Fu Tai Chi."
Schools of Kung Fu Training in Foshan
|
| Latest
News! |
China Expats are pleased to announce co-operation
with two of Foshan's leading Kung Fu Schools that
have won international competitions in Wing Chun
style Kung Fu.
• Sim
Wing Club is highly recommended and offers
several Master's, of which we interviewed Sifu
Liang. He is a lovely man and very helpful. The
premises are modern, clean and just what you would
expect of a leading Kung Fu Training centre. Sifu
Liang was taught by Gwok Fu, who remains a guiding
influence and often attends training sessions
in person.
• Yao
Bao Gongfu is a working school under Sifu
Paul Mak Yiu Ming and President Master Sifu Mai.
His school has won many international competitions
and also includes other instructors, one of whom
is a woman called Liang Jiandong.
Please see our page: Wing
Chun Training in Foshan for full information
(Class times, fees, optional extras) |
Services
China Expats are pleased to arrange
tuition, accommodation, meet and greet, transfers,
translation services and sight-seeing trips for
any Kung Fu students to the above and other locations
on an all inclusive basis. Please
ask for details. |
|
Hong Sheng Martial Arts Academy
Below is a quotation from the latest edition of Foshan
Tourist Guide:
"Foshan Hong Sheng Martial Arts Academy was established
in 1851 by a martial Master named Zhang Yan during the
Qing Dynasty. Time honoured and deeply influential,
the centre boasts a lot of followers. The members of
Hongsheng played a positive role in the past anti-feudalism
and anti-imperialism wars. Hongsheng Martial Arts Centre
has established branches in Hong Hong and abroad".
Opening times: 9 am to 5 pm
Entrance: Free
Bus numbers: 133, 141, 143
Tel: 0757 83217908
Huang Fei Hong Pugilism Hall lies at
the foot of Xiqiao Mountain in Luzhou village - the
original home of Wong Fei Hong's Father. This complex
features: Bao Zhi Lin, Bai Cao House, Hung Fei Hong
Historical Relics Exhibition Hall, Guan Dexing Memorial
Hall and martial arts patio, instruction and training
schools.
Open: 8 - 5.30.
Entrance: Free - Part of Xiqiao general ticket price
(Y50).
Performance Times: 9.30 - 11.30 and 2.30 to 5pm
Tel: 0757 8689 6189
Note:
Do not confuse this 'Pugilism Hall' with the Huang Fei
Hong Museum which is part of The Ancestral Temple
in central Foshan. They also provide displays and demonstrations,
and offer tuition similar to above.
Jingwu Society
This is an excellent academy which is devoted to exchanging
martial arts skills with any other practitioners and
societies worldwide. Members of the Foshan Jingwu society
practice many forms of 'Boxing' as Kung Fu is often
referred to, namely: Hung, Yongchun, Cai, Li and Fo.
It is here that Americans will find what they call:
Hun Gar.
Other
There are many other Kung Fu schools in Foshan, both
large and small; and given to different styles of Kung
Fu. There are also Kung Fu working museums and memorial
halls. The most publicised are:
• Huang Fei Hong Memorial Hall (Zumiao)
• Ip Man Memorial Hall (Zumiao)
• Huang Feihung Lion Dance and Martial Arts Centre
(Xi Qiao and Zumiao)
• The former residence of Bruce Lee (Shunde Daliang),
a museum that also features traditional 'Bone Setting'
displays of Chinese medicine.
Summary
Perhaps what you really need to know is that Foshan
is the modern home for Yongchun Gongfu and Wong Fei-Hong
style, and a 'Must Visit' for any serious practitioners
of Kung Fu. Please also remember, this is a general
page for all levels of understanding. It is written
by an Englishman who lives permanently in Foshan, and
has no idea what Gongfu is really all about - I do like
the films though!
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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
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