Foshan

Foshan (Literally: Buddha Mountain) is a prefecture-level city in central Guangdong province, China. The city has jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper (year 2000 figures).

The town of Foshan is many centuries old. It is famous for its porcelain industry. Now it is the third largest city in Guangdong. The city is relatively affluent when compared to other Chinese cities, and it is home to many large private enterprises. Foshan recently has seen a transformation brought by China's booming economy. Foshan is also famous for its numerous Wing Chun schools where many come to train and spar.

Tourist Sites
Foshan has many tourist sites, including Chinese temples and other examples of Chinese architecture. The old Zu temple in Foshan houses the city's guardian, where it has stood for hundreds of years. The temple still stands after enduring many wars and the Cultural Revolution. Much of its original architecture is still intact. The temple is now used to stage the traditional Canton opera at night.

Statue of Guan Yin on Mount Xiqiao, in NanhaiBesides the Zu temple, another example of traditional Chinese buildings is the Liang Yuan. It is one of the four famous Yuan, or private estates, in Guangdong. It epitomizes the building style of the Ming-Qing dynasties, with delicate craftsmanship throughout the building, and a compact yet elegantly designed garden. It is very well preserved, with most of its original artifacts displayed in-house. Very near to this site is a group of preserved buildings that date back to the Qing dynasty. Although they are now private houses, permits to visit some of these buildings can be obtained from the Tourist Bureau. These buildings all display the very classic building style of that era, which is the abandonment of the large and ostensible garden and space in favour to small yet multi-stories houses that is practical when there is little space.

Another potential tourist site in Foshan is the old porcelain furnace in Shi Wan. It is said to have been in operation since the Tang dynasty, and the fire inside was never gone out. It is still producing some of the chinaware that made Foshan famous. Surrounding that site are many workshops of the local artists. The countryside surrounding Foshan city retains much of its traditional south Chinese rural characteristics.

Famous Tourist Attractions
Ancestors' Temple
Dong Hua Li
Liang's Garden
Qing Hui Garden
Renshou Pagoda
Folk Arts & Crafts Center
Pottery & Ceramics Guild
Statue of Guan Yin on Mount Xiqiao