Foshan is a prefecture-level city in the Pearl River Delta, directly southwest of Guangzhou and linked to it by the Guangfo metro line. It is the birthplace of Cantonese martial arts and lion dance, home to the Ming-Qing Zumiao Ancestral Temple, the ceramics kilns of Shiwan, and Shunde, widely regarded as the cradle of Cantonese cuisine. Visitors fly into Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Hong Kong and reach Foshan by metro or intercity rail.
Foshan lies on the west side of the Pearl River Delta beside Guangzhou. Its Ancestral Temple dates to the Northern Song dynasty, and the town grew as a center of ceramics at Shiwan, iron casting, textiles and folk crafts. Foshan is the home of Cantonese lion dance and Southern martial arts, producing figures such as Wong Fei Hung and Yip Man. The Nanfeng Ancient Kiln has fired ceramics for around 500 years, and Lingnan gardens such as Liang Garden (begun about 1796) and Qinghui Garden show the region's scholar-merchant culture. In modern times Foshan became a manufacturing hub for ceramics, appliances and furniture, connected to Guangzhou by the Guangfo Metro Line.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Foshan.
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1
The Ancestral Temple (Zumiao) is founded in the Northern Song dynasty, according to standard accounts.
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2
Nanfeng Ancient Kiln in Shiwan begins operating; it has been in use for around 500 years.
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3
Liang Garden is begun in the Jiaqing period of the Qing dynasty.
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4
Wong Fei Hung is born; he became Foshan's best-known martial arts hero (date per commonly cited sources).
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5
Yip Man is born in Foshan; he later taught Wing Chun and trained Bruce Lee in Hong Kong (date per commonly cited sources).
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6
The Confucius Temple is built inside the Ancestral Temple grounds.
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7
The Yip Man Memorial Hall opens in the Ancestral Temple grounds.
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8
The first section of the Guangfo Metro Line opens, linking Guangzhou and Foshan.
Historical eras
The chapters of Foshan's past.
Song and Ming Foundations
The Ancestral Temple was founded in the Northern Song dynasty and Shiwan's kilns developed into a major ceramics center, with Nanfeng Kiln operating for about 500 years.
Qing Merchant and Garden Era
Wealthy clans and scholars built Lingnan gardens including Liang Garden (about 1796). Foshan was known for trade, ceramics and iron and cloth workshops.
Republic and Martial Arts Heritage
The Confucius Temple inside Zumiao was built in 1911. Foshan's martial artists including Wong Fei Hung and Yip Man became widely known.
Modern Manufacturing and Metro Era
Foshan became an industrial city for ceramics, appliances and furniture and was linked to Guangzhou by the Guangfo Metro Line, whose first section opened in 2010.
Historical sites
Places where Foshan's past comes alive.
Foshan Ancestral Temple (Zumiao)
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: CNY 20 (about USD 3.00)
Foshan Confucius Temple (Wenmiao)
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: Included in the Zumiao ticket, CNY 20 (about USD 3.00)
Yip Man Memorial Hall
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: CNY 20 (about USD 3.00)
Huang Feihong Lion Dance Martial Arts Museum
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: Included in the Zumiao ticket, CNY 20 (about USD 3.00)
Nanfeng Ancient Kiln
Where: Shiwan Town
Admission: CNY 25 (about USD 3.73)
Liang Garden (Liangyuan)
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: CNY 10 (about USD 1.49)
Qinghui Garden
Where: Shunde District
Admission: CNY 15 (about USD 2.24)
Lingnan Tiandi
Where: Chancheng District
Admission: Free