Foshan

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I live in the City of Foshan, pop 3 million. Foshan is one of the few Cities in China where foreigners are a common sight, and have been for centuries. Modern Foshan is a lively, clean city, with everything you would expect - cars everywhere, MacDonald's on every corner, large Western style shopping centres, hypermarkets, nightclubs, and street bars where you can drink and chat 24/7. The main roads are wide and clean, although a tad chaotic! Local industry makes this a truly vibrant place, although there is a problem with air pollution that is slowly being addressed - this is the only bad thing I have found in this great city. Amongst the high rise, you will be delighted to find a plethora of parks and green spaces which team with life in the evenings, and most offer various local forms of entertainment

Within this modern mix, there are occasional gems remaining from ancient times; old, traditional houses, peasant fishermen, and the only remaining and working Dragon Kiln in China. The Ancestral Temple in the Centre of Foshan dates back many centuries, but is latterly most famous as the home of Master Man, who was Bruce Lee's mentor. It is relatively large and may need several hours to see all. There are performances including traditional Buddhist music and dancing, but check out the times when you enter

Foshan Folk Art Museum and Studio is a good place to look for souvenirs, including excellent Chinese ‘Paper-Cuts’, Cloisonné, silks, calligraphy and other local arts and crafts. This is also a great place for gaining an understanding into the lessons learned during the Cultural Revolution, including the modernisation of agriculture. In the corner of the grounds you will also find an excellent vegetarian restaurant, although you may need to ask for help in finding it, even though it is quite large

Opposite the Folk Arts Museum is the Carris Anne Hotel, which is the second most popular hotel used by Westerners (After The Foshan Hotel). Both hotels have business centres and excellent standards of spoken English. They also offer direct coaches to places such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong - which include various destinations for both the Airport, Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon

Liang Yaun is one of the Pearl River Delta’s historic gardens built by a family of famous poets and artists of the period. Artistically arranged gardens and ponds surround elegant residential buildings

In the main shopping plazas you will find all the famous international brands, and if this is what you want to see, then please enjoy. I would prefer to show you the real China, the real people, the local communities, and street markets that literally buzz with humanity - come with me and haggle with a market trader over the price of an orange, or let us choose a live fish from one of the many fish tanks for our dinner

But why should we bother cooking, when within half a mile of my apartment are over 500 restaurants, all specialising in a particular cooking style or dish. The food is mainly Chinese, from all quarters of China; but there are also some very good Western restaurants, and of course the ubiquitous MacDonald's, KFC's and Pizza Hut's

There are a very good range of hotels, from International standard 5 star, to a local 2 star I personally recommend, especially if all you need is a bed, a shower and somewhere safe to keep you luggage - price about £30 per double room per night. This hotel is right in the centre of all that is best about Foshan, and just a 5-minute walk from my apartment

Jon's Blog is a fascinating read, composed by a first-time visitor to China, it was my very good fortune to meet

For an informative overview of Foshan, please have a look at the local government sponsored website, which is a mine of local information. I live in ChanCheng area, and my apartment is one of the big ones behind the picture of the Foshan Radio Tower, (The Eiffel Tower with a ball in it). There are also pages relating to the other Foshan Districts, please use the main side menu for navigation, as well as visiting the homepage - you will not be disappointed!

The modern Capital City of Guangdong Province since the Ming dynasty, and known as Canton, is a flourishing city of some 11 million people. Guangdong is also known as The Flower City, and The Southern Gate to China. Nationalities: Han, Li, Yao, Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Manchu and She. Guangzhou is famous for: Yue Drama or Cantonese Opera, Famous Guangdong Folk Music: Bubugao and Xiyangyang; Handcraft: Traditional Ceramics, Ivory Carving, Sandalwood Fan

With a written history of 2,200 years, Guangzhou is regarded as the earliest among the international trade port cities in the world; built as Chuting by the Chu people from the middle reaches of the Yangtse River in the 9th century B.C.; established as Nanhai Prefecture in the Qing dynasty and became Nanyue Kingdom in the Western Han dynasty; the starting point of the Silk Road on the sea which links China with the Arabian and western countries in trading; China's only foreign trade port at sea before the Qing dynasty

The Temple of Bright Filial Piety on Guangxiao Road is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Guangzhou and was the mansion of Prince Zhao Jiande of the Nanyue Kingdom during the Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.24).

Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, situated on Liurong Road, is a world famous ancient Buddhist temple. It was built in 537 in the Liang dynasty during the Southern dynasties (386-581).

Flowery Pagoda, built in 1097, is the major structure in this temple. Named for its colourful exterior, the pagoda stands 57 meters high in the centre of the temple; having a bronze column with 1,000 Buddhist sculptures on its top. Viewed from outside, the pagoda has nine stories while in fact it has 17 stories inside.

The Nanyue King's Tomb Museum, located in Jiefang road, stands on the site of the tomb of Emperor Wen, the second ruler during the Southern Yue Kingdom dating back to 100 B.C. The tomb was originally 20m under Elephant Hill and was discovered in 1983. More than 1000 burial objects were excavated, among which are a chariot, gold and silver vessels, musical instruments, and sacrificial human remains.

People like to describe the natural beauty of Guangzhou as the "pearl sea and white cloud". White Cloud Mountain is a park with natural hills and waters, ideal for sightseeing and as a summer resort, with a history of development of over 1,000 years

Described as the premier spectacle of Guangzhou by some brochures, the site is also widely known for the well-ordered traffic conditions. In good weather, travelling there is really rewarding and peaceful for those who choose to walk.

In recent times new tourist attractions have been created and these include facilities for water sports, a golf course, botanical gardens and a sculpture park.

Yuexie Park is Guangzhou’s biggest stretch of greenery, encompassing over 90 hectares of sports facilities, historic monuments, teahouses and shady groves. Besides a number of artificial lakes and a huge swimming pool, the park is renowned for its Zhenhai Tower and the Sculpture of the Five Rams.

Zhenhai Tower stands on the top of Yuexiu Hill in the northern suburbs, the 28-metre-high five-story tower - also known as the Five-story Pagoda - is a magnificent building, commanding a bird's-eye view of the whole city. The tower now houses the City Museum, with exhibits, which describe the history of Guangzhou from Neolithic times till the early part of this century.

British and French troops occupied the tower during the Opium Wars on account of its strategic location. The 12 cannons in front of the tower are from that time.

The Sculpture of the Five Rams, the symbol of Guangzhou, was erected in 1959. A beautiful legend said that long, long ago there were five celestial beings, who wore robes of five colours. One day they rode rams through the air to Guangzhou, each carrying a stem of rice. They presented to the people the auspicious sign from heaven and told them that the area would be free from famine forever. Later, according to the story, the city took a name: City of Rams, or just Goat City. Its official name Guangzhou, however, means 'broad region" in Chinese

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, situated in the original site of Sun Yat-sen's Presidential Office on the southern slope of Yuexiu Hill, is a memorial building built in 1931 with the funds raised by the Guangzhou people and overseas Chinese in memory of Sun Yat-sen, the pioneer of China's bourgeois democratic revolution. He is respected for fighting against the Japanese invaders, but died before the Cultural Revolution. His legacy remains today, as his followers are the ruling party in Taiwan

The Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family was built between 1890 and 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, and is the largest, best preserved, and best decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong province. The buildings are of traditional Guangdong style, and the temple is especially renowned for its beautiful decorations. Inside the temple, historical figures, legends, and scenes are represented in many art forms, including woodcarving, brick carving, and pottery carving, stone carving. In 1986, the State Council designated it as an important cultural relic. The temple now is the site of the Museum of Guangdong Folk Arts and Crafts.

Huaisheng Mosque is located on Guangta Road, Huaisheng Mosque, popularly known as the Light Tower Mosque, is one of the earliest mosques established following the introduction of Islam into China in the 7th century. An important feature is the minaret, which is 36 meters in height with a pointed tip. It has a typical Arabic architectural style. In the past sailors often climbed the minaret to observe weather conditions before going to sea and at night, the minaret used to serve as a beacon for the boats on the Zhujiang River. Hence the name Light Tower

Baiyun Shan is the nearby mountain, offering a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can walk along the side of the mountain and visit a Buddhist temple

In the Suburbs, there are such scenic spot on Conghua Hot Springs, Xiqiao Hill Scenic spot, as well as a Zoo and Ocean Park

In contrast, modern Guangzhou has many centres for shopping, most notable being Tianhe Plaza and Beijing Road. The city boasts over 18,000 restaurants of every conceivable style, and one treat is a night cruise down the Pearl River accompanied by dinner, dancing and music

If I have a favourite memory of China, then it is of my stay in this very special City. It is the memory of a few golden days that changed my life forever. It is also a place I wish to share with you

ZhaoQing is a thriving city very close to Guangzhou and Foshan. The centre is a usual Chinese square, but this one is different, because instead of being a square in a city, it is a square on the banks of  7 Stars Lake. At 8pm each nigh, there is a musical fountain display that is truly awesome to behold. The Lake behind stretches for miles, and encompasses 7 Stars Crags, a wonderment of Island hills with pagodas topping each one, and Chinese bridges connecting in places. Here are also several caves, one of which is renowned for its ancient cave pictures and writings. I do love this place

But then, ZhaoQing is actually famous for something else - the Buddhist mountain of Ding Su. Here they hold an annual festival where 2,000 people are fed from one giant 3-legged pot. It also features a Butterfly farm, and tranquil places of peace and harmony. This is also the home of the famous 'Inkstone', a locally mined rock that when wettened, produces a natural ink that is used in the finest Chinese calligraphy. We can arrange Calligraphy classes for small groups who are interested in this ancient Chinese art

Another local attraction is the Adventure Park, which offers a range of activities and it will take a whole day to do everything. The main attractions are a 1 hour river rafting trip with experienced guides, and mountain climbing. Neither are designed for experienced exponents, but they are not for the faint-hearted either - more details after I have visited personally. There are also less demanding rides and amusements, as well as a selection of eateries and scenic spots

Itself, ZhaoQing is modern, dated and very cheap; all in one breath. There is a 5 star hotel with revolving restaurant on the 28th floor, giving superb views of the city. The whole 360 degrees takes about one hour, and also features live music. By contrast, other restaurants are built on stilts over the near reaches of the lake, and offer peace and picture perfect views. They remain open until at least 3am. On the nearby shore is a street offering disco bars and floating restaurants, this time in converted ships. I usually use a 3 star hotel, 5 minutes walk from the city centre, with prices of about £10 for a room with 2 double beds, shower and western toilet - very good value

The town I first came to in China, and as crazy a place you will never find again. It is my emotional home in the Orient, and my heart in China. I have so many friends there, and yet what is this place really? A mass of 1,200 furniture factories, a couple of streets, a new Plaza, but the people are truly wonderful. It has the essence of Stafford, UK - Chinese style. It is probably better I do not expound in any detail, as I would wish you to form your own opinions and have your personal experiences. Just to say, that if you embrace this small place, then this is serious 'Culture Shock', in the very best senses of that phrase ...

Around 10pm each evening, for about 20 minutes, the main street will be full of bicycles - 6 abreast in both directions. These are the schoolchildren returning home after a days study that started at 7am. Here there is no 'Rule of the Road', you just drive on the side of the road you happen to be on at the time. It is normal for motorbikes and scooters to use the pavements. In the road, first vehicles going in the wrong direction have precedence. Pedestrians will walk outside of these, and the first lane is completed by bikes and scooters. The second lane is usually reserved for cars, oxen and mules; so a visiting truck can cause major confusion

This is the place, where if you walk down the street, cars will stop in the middle of the road, just so the driver can look at you

This town also has the 2 best street-bars in China, and also the best restaurant ever - Dunobe, where you can sit in the reserved circle and eat great western style food, whilst listening to someone play the grand piano

Opposite is the Buddhist Temple and mountain, and wherein lies the very best free temple complex I have seen in China - truly breath-taking. I would like to show you the room of 10,000 golden Buddha's; and walk you to the top of the hill where you can see the horizon in every direction; for Long Jiang is always the meeting place of the 2 Dragons:  the Dragon of the mountain, and the Dragon of the river - and Chinese Dragons are always wanted and very beneficial

For me personally, I would like to share with you my good times, my good friends, and a certain humanity, or humility, lacking elsewhere in China

The town of Jiu Jiang is not really notable at all, except for offering another, and different glimpse of rural town life. Here my focus lies in the river, or rather, two islands in the river. By this time, the Pearl River has split into 3 main water courses, and Jiu Jiang lies on the South Pearl River at a place where the river must be 2 miles wide! It is hard to define the opposite bank of the river. The second Island from shore offers a heritage site, conservation area and Temple complex. It is an interesting place to visit. My focus is on the nearer island, which offers activities such as 'Banger Racing', rough terrain vehicles, dodgems and water park. You can also hire such diverse items as in-line roller skates, horses and bicycles. The island is a little under developed, but does have a shop, bar, manned BBQ and restaurant. It also offers villas with bed, bathroom and TV for around £7 per night. There are also sections for Disco, Karaoke, Dancing, TV, live entertainment, and DIY BBQ tables

For me, the pleasure is in just being 'away from it all'. To sit with friends in one of the gazebo's built on high stilts out over the river, watch the sun go down and see the Chinese lanterns sway in the breeze. It is perfect with waitress service for beers, BBQ and restaurant food. Gazing out over the river 100 miles inland, and I see a nautical version of the M6 motorway, with ships and boats of all shapes and sizes plying their trade - for at any given moment, there will surely be 20 travelling in each direction. Nearer to shore, a fisherman and his family will be reaping the last catch of the day, and their nets sparkle with silver fish caught. They will collect the fish, (Keeping them live), and stow the net, before cooking on a single gas ring and wok/steamer, eating and going to sleep moored nearby. And this is their life - interesting to see it for real. At other times of the day, other fishermen are active on the river, searching for crabs, prawns etc; which you can buy fresh from the boat at ridiculously cheap prices

Hong Kong is the financial hub of Asia, and epitomises the full integration of Eastern and Western thinking like no other city. Our excursions to Hong Kong are varied, and can be a day trip or a week. You meet Western prices for the first time during your visit to China - so we suggest 2 or 3 days visit

Macao is now a top World Heritage site, and is exquisite in it's architectural beauty. It is also the Gambling capital of Asia, and rivals Monte Carlo and Las Vegas for it's wealth of Casino's. We offer gambling orientated trips, and also scenic and cultural alternatives

You will need a multi-entry Chinese visa to visit either Hong Kong or Macau, and return to China

For me, Hong Kong highlights are: The frantic buzz of the city, street markets in Mongkok, Jade market (Be careful what you buy), cafe's around Centenary Square in Tsim Sha Tsui, harbour boat tour, Western bars and nightlife in Central and Wan Chai, Tram to visit The Peak - where you get the World-Famous view of HK, excursion to Stanley, excursion to Aberdeen - a lovely fishing town, sampan to Lamma Island for fresh seafood restaurants, Lantau Island - Disney, Ocean Park (preferred option), and most important - see the largest seated Buddha in the world, it is BIG!

I would recommend a 4 or 5 day round trip featuring 3 nights Hong Kong, 1 day in Macao (Evenings revolve around casino's and extremely expensive Western Disco-bars), afternoon bus to Zhu Hai and visit to Hot Mud Springs. Bus to Daliang for pedestrianised evening shopping, famous double-skimmed milk drink and restaurant. Return to Foshan

Beautiful Guilin is a paradise for foreign visitors. It is pictured on the reverse of the Y20 bank note - such is it's fame in the Orient

Our standard excursion to Guilin is 4 days, fully inc for $150 ... you may wish to spend several weeks there, which is no problem - it is a very special place. The scenery is magnificent, and the nightlife is full of Americans, Australians and British ... people like yourselves who were 'Just passing-through', but decided to stay a while

Visitors to Guilin usually opt for the charabanc tours, or walking and cycling option. More adventurous people will also find stiffer challenges such as white water rafting, climbing and canoeing available nearby

My personal version of this trip is slightly longer, as I prefer a little less of the organised tour, and a little more 'J'un est sais quoi'. I would include a one day package, but prefer to spend a free day and night in Guilin itself. The nearby town of Yangshuo offers good relaxation, and a very westerners-accepted chill. There are a plethora of local things to do, and I prefer to mix local and see what happens - chances are you will have dinner with a local Chinese family in their home, and next day the son or daughter will escort you to see what others never see, the local attractions - and this is what I mean ...

Breakfast, shops/adventures, lunch and chill. Later we join a local fisherman and go fishing the river. We catch some fish, and stop on the river bank to gather leaves and herbs, maybe some tubers also. Whilst some of us do this, others look for fallen wood and make a BBQ pit. We re-join, someone guts the fish - not you, and we make a meal. And this is their everyday life you are sharing. Later we can hit the bars, or just enjoy tea with new friends ... I do think life should be so happy and simple

I bet you can't book this one with Thomas Cook?

NanLing

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NanLing is a large rural town about 20 miles from Guilin, and it has one very interesting secret - it is home of the Premier Kung Fu School in China. Kung Fu, known as Gong Fu locally, is not considered a sport as it is in England. It is a cultural exhibition by those who do not practice it as a Martial Art. The School in NanLing teaches it as a Martial art, and courses are available for visiting tourists by arrangement

Gong Fu has 3 disciplines: the Martial Art as we know it, Lion Dance, and Dragon Dance. Nanling School is the foremost in China for the first two of these disciplines. So much so, that in a recent All-Asia Lion Dance Competition, they took the first three places!

I was fortunate to be able to watch a full dress rehearsal for a forthcoming 'Lion Dance' Competition. Inside the costume are 2 people who's skill and agility is absolutely breath-taking. The performance lasted over one hour, culminating in the Traditional Lion dance, where a 'Lion' jumps across a set of poles set high above the ground. After spending 2 years in China, this is still the most memorable event I have witnessed.

The whole evening was a showcase of talent, as it also contained a Gong Fu display of consummate skill, using real swords and spears where appropriate. Some of the performers were girls as young as 6 years, and the most adept was a 13 year old girl who actually spoke English

Other than this school, Nanling is easy to miss. It is a centre for Bamboo products, and has a bamboo themed amusement park. One shop on the outside of town sells Jade, and it was remarkable for having the largest Jade carving I have ever seen in real life. It was a perfect eagle in dark Jade standing some 9 feet high and 10 feet wide - awesome!

20 years ago Shenzhen was a small fishing village. Today is is a bustling city of 4 million people, and growing exponentially. It is the showcase City of the policy of 'Openness' as bequeathed to the Nation by their most esteemed leader Deng Shao Ping. Deng is perhaps the most important of all the Chinese leaders of the modern era; although most of you will immediately think of Mao ZeDong in this context. The Chinese revere 3 figures actually, Deng, Mao and Sun Yat Sen - the democrat from Guangdong, and founder of modern Taiwan; for you see they all fought together for a new China and battled the Japanese invaders as Brothers

Shenzhen is built as the Chinese computer city, and specialises in PC hardware manufacture and software integration. It also specialises in Import/Export, having a container port that makes Felixstowe look like a backwater project. It also attracts other industry, and very successfully, as Shenzhen business has a way of being compatible with foreign thinking, unlike other nearby cities; and this is obviously related to the nearness of Hong Kong, which lies just a short walk away across the border

I recommend you visit Shenzhen if you are into computers or International trade, but although I know this city quite well, it would not top my list for tourist attraction - yet. I think this will change within 5 years, as Beijing has decided Shenzhen will also become a 'Beach-paradise', and I am confident it will be so

Daliang

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Capital of Shunde County, and often referred to as Shunde, Daliang has a large pedestrianised shopping centre with a great selection of goods (Hua Gai Street). Near the centre are several renowned sweet shops (Desserts), which are famous for ‘Double Skimmed milk’, a lovely Chinese version of runny blancmange; the most famous being MinXin

The restaurants are centred to the north of the precinct on Jianhai Road, also known as food square. Recommended restaurants include: Zhu Yuan for traditional Cantonese food, Tianfu for spicy Sichuan food, Bao Xiang Lou for Hunan cuisine and Guang De Tea House for a selection of local Shunde dishes

There are many other places of interest including Fengling Park on Fengshan East Street and Qinghui Garden on the main road, Qinghui Road, with West Hill Temple nearby

No visit to Daliang is complete without a visit to Bar Street, or Guipan Road. It also has many bars and nightclubs along the riverside district, for those of you that may enjoy the nightlife

During the day you can take a boat trip to ShunFeng Park, near the new government building and centre. This area also features the Baolin Temple and there is a small Bruce Lee museum nearby which is expanding to become a centre for Kung Fu excellence. Bruce only visited Daliang once, but it is where his ancestral home is located, and the local citizens are very proud of him

Kaiping

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An ancient city steeped in history and heritage, Kaiping is famous for it's uniqueness and individuality. The modern city hides many treasures of older buildings and ancient wars. Outside Kaiping you can visit some truly wondrous architectural homes, in the form of the famous 'Watch Towers'. These are buildings for a larger family, its provisions and livestock, and could be considered an Oriental equivalent to an English Fort. Several are renovated and open for public viewing, and I have never seen anything quite like them before

Kaiping is also very famous in one other respect, it's people are adventurers. Above I mentioned the Cantonese were the only Chinese people to leave China for the world at large. I did not specify which cities, so now I will, for there are only three: Hong Kong (More recently), Guangzhou/Foshan and Kaiping. I guarantee - if you ask the owner of your local Chinese restaurant or take-away, where his family roots are; he will name one of these three places. Try it and see? Special people

Now, wouldn't you just know there are never half measures with me! One of my best Chinese friends is from Kaiping, and she can (Usually) arrange for you to visit and stay with a local family, Chinese style. Here I am offering you the chance to live as a local Chinese

Xiamen (Amoy)

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Xiamen has a special place in international relations, being one of the Port/Cities the British 'Leased' from China during the Opium Wars. This British history is not pretty reading, especially when you hear the Chinese version of it. But it is now history, and strong ties grow from our past associations. You may recognise the English name 'Amoy', as products available in your local supermarket - well, this is where they originate

Xiamen is a lovely city, open to International trade, but also focused upon Chinese culture, heritage and performing arts. I have friends there, English friends actually; who would be delighted to show you a little bit of this fascinating City. When the city gets too much, please enjoy the beaches and Barbie's - for Xiamen is all these things and more

China's version of Beach-paradise - Hainan Island offers everything you would expect from an International Beach holiday resort: Diving, Para-gliding, Surfing, Sail-boarding, Boat trips, Off-shore Game-fishing, Coral reefs, Sun-bathing and Nightlife ... Nightclubs are plentiful, as are impromptu Beach-Barbies - take your choice - or do both

Hainan Island is also famous for the Li ethnic minority, who moved to the Island from Guangdong three thousand years ago. They have kept their traditions, dress and customs alive to this day, and you can join in their displays of singing and dancing. The Li are peculiar in that until a few decades ago, all women had a rights of passage around the age of 12 or 13. First, they had to prove they had learned all the skills needed by a Li woman. They then became the centre of a ceremony, during which their entire body was tattooed, including their faces. Different clans have different designs, and certain tattoos grant specific blessings - the upper lip tattoo granting longevity, and the lower lip good family and fortune. The practice was outlawed about 40 years ago, but you are still in time to see this on older women living there today

The centre of the Li culture is based upon the local mountain, which is sacred to them, and the centre of many of their traditions and displays. If you get fed-up with beach-life, I strongly recommend you take our cultural excursion to this area, it is a fascinating experience with very friendly people

Our packages from Guangzhou start at $150 for 4 nights fully inc - excepting local sports and excursions. Diving the coral reefs costs around $20 per hour

There are numerous day trips and excursions all available from Foshan. The list includes such diversity as Hot Springs, Mud Springs, Animal Farm, nature trails, museums, zoos, adventure parks, amusement parks; as well as many sites of cultural and historical interest. Please forgive me if I do not name them all, but just be aware that there is always something new to discover nearby. I will soon offer an excursion itinerary for links and download, but first I want to visit each place personally

If you have a particular personal interest, then I will do my best to ensure you are well catered for