Foshan travel guide
Foshan Tourism | Foshan Guide
You're Going to Love Foshan
The third-largest city in the Guangdong Province in southern China, Foshan is a city of culture, art, and history. It's the home of martial arts and Cantonese opera, and this vibrant city is ideal for both long vacations and short stays.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Foshan
1. Foshan Ancestral Temple
Commonly called Zumiao Temple, the Foshan Ancestral Temple is both a museum and an entertainment venue. Go to see Cantonese opera or Kung Fu performances and the famous statues of former martial arts masters.
2. It's the Home of Martial Arts
The Bruce Lee Ancestor's House in Shunde District was built by the famous Kung Fu master's grandfather and you can see stills from his famous films and other memorabilia.
3. Mount Xiqiao
One of the four famous mountains of Guangdong Province, the extinct volcano is known for its beautiful scenery and the 203.4 foot Buddha at its peak.
4. Sanshui Lotus World
The world's largest lotus ecological theme park is the ideal place for a family outing. See the amazing lotus-shaped gateway, visit Lotus Fairy Square, Lotus Pond, and the 49-foot statue of the Lotus Fairy, or simply go to admire the rare and beautiful flowers.
5. The Shopping
Locally painted wood prints, Manggong Cake, and traditional Yue embroidery are just a few of the items you'll find in Zumiao Commercial Street. The city is also known for modern malls like Baihua Plaza and the Lingnan Tiandi shopping district.
Where to Eat in Foshan
Dine on Cantonese and Chinese food at Aju Hakka Restaurant or Aloft Foshan Nanhai Chinese Food Restaurant. If you feel like a change, try Pizza Montana or Lotus Indian Restaurant. Lunch in a basic restaurant costs ¥23.50, while a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant costs ¥150.
When to visit Foshan
Spring, from March to May, and fall, from September to early November, are the best times to visit Foshan since summers are hot and winter can be cold and wet.
How to Get to Foshan
Plane
Fly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and catch an intercity bus to complete your trip. The airport is 38.8 miles from Foshan and the trip takes 50 minutes.
Train
Trains take one hour to reach Foshan from Guangzhou but there are only a few each day. It's more convenient to take the Guangfo Line on the intercity rapid transit line or metro (subway). A single journey costs ¥5. Trains stop in Nanhai District and in Chancheng District.
Car
If someone in your party holds a Chinese driving license it's easy to reach the city by road. Take the S41 toll road or the S82 from Guangzhou.
Bus
Buses from Guangzhou arrive every 15 minutes and a single fare costs ¥10-20. They stop in Nanhai District and at the downtown bus station in Chancheng District.
Airlines serving Foshan
Where to stay in Foshan
Good mid-range hotels include the Hilton Foshan, Crowne Plaza Foshan, and the Sheraton Shunde Hotel Foshan, or try the InterContinental Foshan for a more luxurious stay.
Popular neighborhoods in Foshan
Chancheng District - the downtown neighborhood is home to some of Foshan's best hotels and shopping malls as well as the Zumiao Temple.
Shunde District - southwest of the city center, Shunde attractions include Shunfengshan Park with its magnificent memorial arch, the Bruce Lee Commemorative Museum, and the Qinghui Garden.
Sanshui District - visit the Lubao Temple and Lotus World in this neighborhood to the west of the city center.
Where to stay in popular areas of Foshan
Most booked hotels in Foshan
How to Get Around Foshan
Public Transportation
Buses are an inexpensive way to get around although you'll need to have the exact fare of ¥2. Plus, as locals are unlikely to speak English it's advisable to stick to routes that you know.
Taxi
Taxi is the best way for visitors to get around Foshan. They can be found everywhere and charge ¥8 for the first 1.6 miles and ¥2.40 for each additional 0.62 miles.
Car
Unless you hold a Chinese license you won't be able to drive in the city. However, if you're planning a day trip you can rent a car with a Chinese driver for ¥200-300.
The Cost of Living in Foshan
Shopping Streets
Buy authentic local porcelain in Taoci Town or visit Nanhai District for beautiful Yue embroidery. For clothing, electronics, and accessories, try one of the city's many malls like Nanhai Plaza, Xinghua Shopping Mall, or Baihua Plaza.
Groceries and Other
Expect to pay ¥13.23 for a dozen large eggs or ¥10.98 for a quart of milk in supermarkets like Carrefour and Trust-Mart.