Discover the city of Foshan, a captivating destination that offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visit the Foshan Ancestral Temple, Qinghui Garden, and Fengjian Water Town.
Start your tour at the Foshan Ancestral Temple, a remarkable architectural masterpiece. Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, it has evolved into a comprehensive and distinctive temple complex. The temple buildings, constructed mainly of wood and stone, are truly works of art. The solid wooden joints in the dougong and beam frames are a testament to the superb craftsmanship of ancient builders.
Inside the temple, in addition to the traditional architectural decorations, the exhibitions on Foshan martial arts are a major attraction. The Ye Wen Memorial Hall and Huang Feihong Memorial Hall offer insights into the lives and achievements of these legendary martial artists.
Next, visit Qinghui Garden, one of Guangdong's four famous gardens. It showcases the unique Lingnan garden style, which is different from the Jiangnan garden style. The garden is compact yet exquisitely designed, with its layout centred around water. The decorative details, such as ceramics, plaster sculptures, wood carvings, and glass ornaments, are worth savouring. The brick carvings and coloured glass are particularly beautiful, and the “Hundred Longevity Peaches” in Guiji Lu is a masterpiece of wood carving.
Finally, visit Fengjian Water Town, a charming gem of Lingnan. Comparable to the famous Jiangnan water towns, it is located at the northern end of Xintan Town. With waterways meandering more than 10 kilometres around the village and a total waterway length of 28 kilometres in the jurisdiction, it offers a sense of endless exploration. The water town is far from the hustle and bustle of the city, with fresh air and a harmonious combination of ancient village patterns. Ancient houses and old trees are interspersed along the waterways, and the flagstone streets criss-cross. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Tao Yuanming's poems.