At present Foshan governs five districts, namely, Chancheng District, Nanhai District, Shunde District, Gaoming District and Sanshui District. The city covers a total area of 3848.49 km² and has a population over 5.9968 million including 3.6763 million registered permanent residents. Foshan is referred to as hometown of overseas Chinese. Over 1.4 million Foshan origins are now living overseas, of which over 800,000 are residing in Hong Kong and Macao.

2. Superior Geographic Location
Foshan is at the convergence of East Asia and South East Asia, which is an economic vibrant area in the Asia Pacific Region. As located in the central part of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), one of the most powerful economic areas in China, Foshan and Guangzhou, with similar history and culture, put in place the “Guangzhou-Foshan Economic Circle”. It is within one hour’s drive from central Foshan to the three main transport hubs of Guangzhou (GuangzhouNewBaiyunInternationalAirport, GuangzhouNanshaPort, and Guangzhou Railway Station). The geographic advantage enables Foshan to share with Guangzhou the infrastructure facilities, transportation network, financial capital, personnel education, technological information and market resources, etc. It serves to the industry interaction and functions complementation, which further accelerates the regional economic integration and urbanization. Foshan is 231 kilometers away from Hong Kong and 143 kilometers from Macao. It’s about two hours’ drive from Foshan to Hong Kong and Macao. The close connection between Foshan and Hong Kong, Macao enables Foshan to make full use of the market advantage and metropolitan position of the two cities, facilitating Foshan to get broader involvement in the global economy.

3. A Famous City with Historical and Cultural Heritage
Foshan, “founded in Jin and named in Tang”, is a city famous for her rich historical and cultural heritage. According to the archeology study, the history in Foshan originated in Lanshi area of Chancheng District. Back in 4500-5500 years ago, the ancient people, coming along the XijiangRiver and BeijiangRiver, settled down in this area and started the primitive culture by fishing and ceramics making. In the 2nd year of Zhenguan Period of Tang Dynasty (628 AD), three statues of Buddha were unearthed from Tapo Hill in the city, and a stone tablet inscribed with the name of Foshan ever since.

Tang and Song Dynasties were marked as the two most important periods for the significant business flourishing in Foshan. The city was crowned as a desirable place for handicraft industry, business and cultural activities. In Ming and Qing Dynasties, Foshan developed into one of the Four Well-known Towns in China together with Hankou in HubeiProvince, Jingde in JiangxiProvince and Zhuxian in HenanProvince, and one of the Four Commercial Centers in China together with Beijing, Hankou and Suzhou. The city boasted its strong presence in the sectors of textile, ceramics, foundry and medicine in South China. At the end of Qing Dynasty, with the naissance of China’s first filature factory and match factory in Foshan, Foshan became one of the birthplaces of modern national industry in China. Nanyang Brother Tobacco Company was then established.

The long history of Foshan gestates its unique traditional Lingnan culture. Foshan has been reputed as hometown of ceramics, hometown of Canton Opera, hometown of martial arts, center of Canton yarn, hometown of patent medicine in Lingnan region, center of foundry in the South and hometown of folk arts, etc.

“Ceramics from Shiwan, the Best under the Sun”
Foshan is named as “Ceramic Capital in South China” and “Ceramic Capital of China” with its ceramics making history of over 700 years. The city has enjoyed the reputation of “Ceramics from Shiwan, the best under the sun” ever since ancient times. Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, built in Zhengde period of Ming Dynasty, is the oldest wood-firing kiln existing in the world. The kiln has been used for more than 500 years without stopping production and is reputed as “living fossil of ceramics”. In 2005, Foshan was awarded the title of.

“Hongchuan po wansha, wanren kan qionghua” (Red boats parked on the evening dock, thousands of people gathered to watch Canton opera in crowds)
Foshan is the birthplace of Canton Opera-merited as Red Bean in South China. Foshan is home to “artists in the red boat” (referred to the Canton opera artists) and Qionghua Hall (the earliest Canton Opera organization). The “amateur band” consisting of Canton Opera lovers has always been a special feature of Foshan culture. Qionghua Canton Opera Festival is held every year in the city, which is enjoyed tremendously by many people. When the Canton Opera performance was on, it took on a grand look of “Hongchuan po wansha, wanren kan qionghua” (Red boats carrying actors parked on the evening dock, and thousands of people gathered to watch.)

Hometown of Patent Medicine in Lingnan Region
Foshan is the “Hometown of Patent Medicine in Lingnan region”. With a history of over 400 years, the traditional Chinese patent medicine is a necessity for craftsman, household and tourists. Foshan then boasted a number of well-known traditional Chinese medicine, such as “Huang Xianghua” Medicine Oil, “Feng Liaoxing” Medicated Wine and “Yuan Jilin” Herbal Tea, etc.

Center of Foundry Industry in South China
Foshan’s foundry industry can be traced back to more than 2000 years ago. In the Song Dynasty, tripod, pan, clock and tower founded in Foshan were well known throughout the country. In the Ming Dynasty, Foshan’s foundry technique had developed to a higher level and the city became the smelting center in South China. During the Opium War, Foshan cannon had played an important role in fighting against the foreign aggression forces.

City of Martial Arts
Known as the hometown of martial arts, Foshan is a major cradle of the south school martial arts. Early in the Ming Dynasty, martial arts were very popular in Foshan. In the late Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, a number of famous martial artists and organizations of international importance emerged in Foshan. Many schools of martial arts and traditional Chinese boxing such as the popular Cai Li Fo Quan, Hong Quan and Yong Chun Quan are all originated in the city. Famous Kongfu master Huang Feihong, Liang Zan, Ye Wen and Kung Fu film star Bruce Lee, of Foshan origin, learned the martial arts in Foshan. In 2004, Foshan was awarded the title of “City of Martial arts”.

Hometown of Lion Dance
Being the hometown of lion dance, Foshan is the origin of south lion. As an important part of Foshan martial arts, Dragon and Lion Dance is a sport activity integrated with martial arts, dancing and music. The annual Lion Dance Championship attracts a number of martial arts fanciers both at home and abroad. In 2009, Foshan was the first to be rewarded as “FamousCity in Dragon and Lion Dancing and Dragon Boat Racing in China”. Chancheng District boasts its title of “Hometown of China Dragon and Lion Dance”, and Xiqiao Township of Nanhai District is the only “China Famous Township of Dragon and Lion Dance” nationwide.

Unique Folk Arts and Folk Custom
As a cradle of folk art in the Pearl River Delta, Foshan has maintained many folk art and traditional activities that feature the Lingnan culture, such as Qiuse (parade celebrating autumn harvest), dragon and lion dance, monologue and singing on dragon boat, dragon boat racing, etc. The paper cutting, wood-cut New Year painting, ceramic sculpture, limestone sculpture and brick carving enjoy excellent craftsmanship in the city. 13 items of Foshan culture and arts including lion dance, Canton Opera, monologue and singing on dragon boat, wood-cut New Year painting, Guangdong paper cutting, Shiwan ceramic sculpture, lion head costume making, gambiered canton gauze dyeing and finishing technique, Ancestral Temple fair, Qiuse Parade, “Shifan” (a type of Gong performance) Dragon Dance, Lantern, have been on the list of national intangible cultural relics, and 8 persons have been selected as symbolic spreaders of national intangible cultural heritage.

“Xingtongji, wubiyi”
“Xingtongji, wubiyi” (Walking Tongji Bridges on the Lantern Day, keeps all the troubles away). Initiated in early Qing Dynasty, and prevailed in Qianlong Period of Qing Dynasty, the custom of walking through the TongjiBridge has been preserved till now. Participated by hundreds of thousands of Foshan citizens every year, this old tradition becomes increasingly popular, and embodies a modern spirit.

Best Food in Guangdong, Best Chefs from Foshan
Enjoying a long history of food culture, Foshan is a “city of gourmet” in the Pearl River Delta and one of the cradles for Cantonese Cuisine. As the saying goes that “The best food comes from Guangdong and the best chef is from Foshan”, the city has always been known at home and abroad for her various dishes, numerous restaurants and fantastic cookery. In 2004, Shunde District was designated as “Hometown of Chinese Chef” by China Cuisine Association. “Foshan Gourmet Carnival” was held in the first week of October every year, which has become a cultural gala integrated with gourmet and tourism.

Home to a Galaxy of Talented People
Ever since ancient times, Foshan has been home to groups of talented people. Since the Tang and Song Dynasty, there have been nine number one scholars from GuangdongProvince, and five of them were from Foshan. The city are proud of the outstanding historical figures like Kang Youwei, leader of the Constitutional Reform in 1898, political activists Zhang Menghuan, Dai Hongci, Tan Pingshan, He Xiangning, Luo Dengxian and Deng Pei, national businessmen Chen Qiyuan, Jian Zhaonan and Jian Yujie, scientists Zhan Tianyou, Zou Boqi, litterateur Wu Yanren, famous Canton Opera artists Xue Juexian, Ma Shizeng, martial artists Liang Zan, Huang Feihong, Ye Wen and Bruce Lee, famous doctor Li Guanghai, craftsmen Huang Bing, Chen Weiyan, Liu Chuan, and the first Chinese priest Liang Fa, etc.