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| Tourist
Guides for China |
Foshan Tourist Guide (March
2010)
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Sightseeing |
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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. |
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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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