Foshan's Humanities: Ancient Villages, Temples, and Jade

As one of the birthplaces of Lingnan culture, Foshan has much more than just Wong Fei-hung's martial arts and Shiwan ceramics; it hides many secret spots that showcase Lingnan clan culture and commercial traditions. Today, we step off the beaten path to dive deep into Foshan's ancient villages, temples, and unique jade market to experience the city's rich cultural layers.

Wisdom of Guangdong's First Village: Daqitou Ancient Village

Our first stop is Daqitou Ancient Village in Foshan's Sanshui District. Built during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, it is the hometown of Zheng Shaozhong, a Guangdong naval admiral. Unlike typical Lingnan water towns, Daqitou is famous for its extremely dense cluster of "wok-ear houses" (houses with roofs shaped like wok handles) and is known as "Guangdong's First Village." Walking into the village, the uniform dark brick mansions and towering wok-ear walls are visually stunning. The most amazing feature is the perfect fire alleys and underground drainage system; even after centuries of rain, the village never floods, showcasing the architectural wisdom of the ancients.

Shunde's Buddhist Sanctuary: Baolin Temple

Leaving Sanshui, we drive south to Daliang in Shunde District. There is a local saying: "Before there was Shunde, there was Baolin." Originally built during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Baolin Temple is the most popular Buddhist sanctuary in Shunde. Rebuilt along the slopes of Taiping Mountain, the temple is majestic. Climbing the wide stone steps through the Hall of Heavenly Kings to the Mahavira Hall, you hear the melodious sounds of bells and chanting. Standing high up in the temple, you can overlook Daliang's urban landscape, finding a piece of pure land amidst the bustling city.

The Jade Jianghu: Pingzhou Jade Street

In the afternoon, we head to Pingzhou Jade Street in Guicheng, Nanhai District. This is not only one of China's largest jade wholesale markets but also the national hub for jade bangles. Walking down this street, you are surrounded by countless jade shops and workshops. Here, you can not only see a dazzling array of high-end finished jade pieces but also watch craftsmen at water grinders carefully carving seemingly ordinary stones into smooth bangles or pendants. Listening to the jade merchants bargaining in jargon lets you feel the vibrant grassroots energy of this unique "jade jianghu."

Greenery and Art in the City Center: Asian Arts Park

In the evening, we return to the center of Chancheng District to visit the Asian Arts Park. Built to commemorate the Asian Cultural Ministers' Meeting held in Foshan, the park features sculptures and architecture full of Asian cultural symbols. The highlight of the park is its wide lake and the "Zen Lotus Island" in the middle. Every summer, when the lotuses bloom, it attracts countless photographers with their long lenses trying to capture the flowers in the morning mist. Taking a walk along the lake in the sunset provides a perfect ending to this cultural tour of Foshan.