Travel with Phoebe: A 3-Day Journey Exploring Foshan's Culture and Cuisine

Foshan is renowned as the "Cradle of Lingnan Culture", the origin of Cantonese culinary delights, Cantonese Opera, and the legendary martial arts prowess. This magical city greatly beckoned me and has always been on my travel list for a long time. With boundless excitement and pure joy, I embarked on this solo adventure on May 1, 2022, immersing myself in the vibrant tapestry of Lingnan Culture and Cantonese Cuisine in the city I had yearned to explore for so long.

Day 1 Shenzhen-Foshan

Embarking on an adventurous journey, I hopped aboard a high-speed from Shenzhen-Foshan express, reaching my destination in just an hour. Out of the rain, I swiftly settle into my hotel after a delightful dinner and immersed myself in Foshan's enchanting lore online – uncovering its famed attractions, timeless traditions, captivating cultural stories and surrounding cities. Foshan, the capital of Guangdong, is also a vital member of the newly developing world class urban agglomeration - Greater Bay Area (GBA), together with Hong Kong , Macau , Shenzhen ,Guangzhou , Zhuhai , etc. Fueled by this exploration, I meticulously planned my adventure, amplifying the thrill for what promises to be an eagerly anticipated escape in Foshan!

Day 2 Garden and Gourmet Journey of Shunde

This morning, I strolled into the enchanting Qinghui Garden (清晖园), a masterpiece crafted during the Ming Dynasty(明朝). As a quintessential example of Lingnan garden architecture, this gem has earned its fame as one of China's top ten renowned gardens and stands proudly among the illustrious quartet of Guangdong's most celebrated green havens.

Exquisite Architecture of Qinghui Garden

Tranquility of Qinghui Garden

Then I came to Shunde for exploring delicious food. Because there is a famous saying that, "Food in Guangzhou, kitchen out of Fengcheng (凤城)," which is none other than Shunde (顺德). As the veritable gastronomic capital of the world, Shunde beckons every food enthusiast with irresistible allure, becoming one of the 4 Best Foshan Tours .

To my surprise, I found many local street food. The beef entrails was delicious; the soup base was thick; and the radishes in it were soft. I tried fried fresh milk for the first time. The taste was smooth, not greasy as I once imagined; the outside was crispy, and the inside was full of milk flavor.

Tasty Cantonese Cuisine

Despite the regrettable limitation of my personal gastronomic adventure today, Shunde's culinary tapestry left an indelible mark. Returning from this tantalizing foray into flavors, I wholeheartedly urge you to experience Shunde for yourself. For those craving an authentic taste of traditional Cantonese cuisine, Shunde in Foshan stands as the ultimate choice, recognized as the cradle of Cantonese culinary art. In 2014, UNESCO bestowed the title of Creative City of Gastronomy upon this delectable city, cementing its status as a haven for discerning palates.

Delicious Meatballs and Soup Base

Day 3 Cultural and Architectural Discovery of Foshan

This day was a sunny day. I went to visit Ancestral Temple. I didn't know much about this place before, but going there totally exceeded my expectations and gave me so many surprises.

There are IP Man Hall and Wong Fei Hung Memorial Hall in there, which made me very excited as I love to watch martial arts action movies since I was a child When I walked into these two halls. It reminded me of the "Foshan Shadowless Foot" in the movie, which is also a stunt created by Huang Feihong (a Chinese martial arts master in the late Qing and early Ming dynasties). And I also thought of IP Man's apprentice Bruce Lee. I had a deeper understanding over the development of Wing Chun and the life stories of the two masters there.

Magnificant Ancestral Temple

What was even more surprising was that I didn’t know there was live lion dance performance there. But when I walked to the square of the Wong Fei Hung Memorial Hall, I saw quincuncial piles and the performers who were preparing. Then I sat down with the rest of the audience and waited. The live performance was wonderful and shocking, and everyone applauded while watching.

Exciting Lion Dance Performance

Later, I ventured to Lingnan Tiandi, a harmonious blend of historical architectural charm and contemporary fashion elements. This multifaceted hub seamlessly weaves together culture, tourism, residence, and business, creating a vibrant and inclusive tapestry.

Unique Lingnan Tiandi

In the afternoon, my taste buds led me to a syrup heaven where I relished two varieties, each boasting remarkably fresh fruits and delicious ingredients. As the day unfolded with ultimate enjoyment and unforgettable memories, my journey concluded, and I made my way to Foshan West Station for a high-speed train back to Shenzhen.

Tasty Local Dessert

Although my Foshan escape has drawn to a close, the impressions linger, leaving me with an overwhelmingly positive and comfortable experience. Foshan also pays homage to Kung Fu Masters, birthplace of Canton Opera, and the inaugural National Famous City of Lion Dance and Dragon Boat. So I passionately recommend a visit to Foshan for a profound dive into Chinese culture, martial arts, and the delectable world of Cantonese cuisines.

Are you interested in traveling to Foshan with me? Browse our best Foshan Tour Packages, or just share your travel preferences, and I'll use my experience and knowledge to provide you with an unforgettable customized Foshan trip.

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