6 hidden gems around 佛山 that makes you want to go there now

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:52 pm

China is probably one of the furthest places on our minds when we think of a holiday destination. However, you might want to give it a chance, especially when so many of our ancestors came from southern China to make a living in Singapore and never went back. One such place is Foshan, one of the cities of Guangdong province – and you’ll be surprised by these hidden gems that are located in and around the famed Pearl River Delta.

Qing Hui Yuan @ Shunde

One of the Four Great Gardens of Guangdong, you get to enjoy impromptu musical performances by volunteer groups and a good shot of history at a 650-year-old garden. Definitely one for the culture buffs.

Shunde Cuisine @ Shunde

You might not have known this, but Shunde District in Foshan is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine; many of the best chefs in Hong Kong come from Shunde. Of the five food capitals in the world, two of them are in China – and one of them is Shunde. I think that’s enough to get you going, isn’t it?

Shunfeng Mountain Park @ Shunde

Although it was only built in 2004, its majestic arches and stone bridges hide a huge park with lakes and paths where locals and tourists can walk, jog, cycle or simply relax. You can rent a bicycle for cheap, and there’s free wifi throughout the park. Not that you’ll need it, of course.

Foshan Ancestral Temple @ Chancheng

A complex of temples that has been rebuilt and restored over the past 1000 years (!), the Foshan Ancestral Temple or Zu Miao also has a temple dedicated to Confucius, and is right next to a tourist destination where you can find all sorts of authentic Shunde Cuisine as well as shopping, called Ling Nan Tian Di.

Wong Fei Hung Lion Dance and Martial Arts Centre @ Chancheng

If you thought Foshan sounded familiar, it must be because of his Foshan Shadowless Kicks. The legendary martial arts master is real – and you can find out all about him here at the Wong Fei Hung Lion Dance and Martial Arts Centre, linked to the Foshan Ancestral Temple. Be sure to catch the performances, which take place at fixed times during the day.

Bruce Lee Paradise @ Shunde

Despite its corny name, few people know that Bruce Lee’s roots came from a humble village in Shunde. He might not have been born here, but his grandfather and father were; and there is an entire park dedicated to him, where you can find the world’s largest bronze statue of Bruce Lee. The Bruce Lee Memorial Museum is also situated within this park, and if you’ve got some legs, you can take a 10 – 15 minute walk to the Lee family ancestral temple, and visit the very house Bruce Lee’s father lived at.

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