Foshan Ancestral Temple and Lingnan Tiandi

Background

The Ancestral Temple stands around Zumiao Road in Foshan's Chancheng District, Guangdong. Its main buildings face south and run from south to north: the Wanfu Stage, the Lingying Archway, the Jinxiang Pool and the Lingying Shrine; the grounds also hold Ming and Qing buildings such as the bell and drum towers, the Three Gates, the Front Hall, the Main Hall and the Qingzhen Tower. Shiwan pottery sculptures, wood carvings, brick carvings, plaster reliefs and copper and iron castings inside and outside the halls are highlights. The Huang Feihong Memorial Hall and the Ip Man Hall, founded in the early 21st century, introduce Foshan's martial arts. The temple was first built in the Yuanfeng era of the Northern Song dynasty (1078–1085), destroyed at the end of the Yuan dynasty, and rebuilt in the fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty (1372); it was rebuilt and extended more than twenty times thereafter and fully restored in the 25th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing dynasty (1899). It is dedicated to Beidi (Xuanwu). After 1949 it became the Foshan Municipal Museum, opened to the public in 1956, and is now a national AAAA tourist attraction. Lingnan Tiandi lies in the Donghuali area east of the temple. Its redevelopment began in 2008: the old buildings were repaired and reused on the principle of "restoring the old as it was," while the newer surroundings were built in a modern style, creating a district that combines culture, tourism, housing and commerce.

Local customs

• Walk the central axis from the Wanfu Stage and the archway to the Main Hall, looking up at the Shiwan pottery ridge sculptures
• watch lion dance and kung fu performances at the Huang Feihong Memorial Hall and learn about Wing Chun at the Ip Man Hall
• then stroll along the arcades of Lingnan Tiandi, enjoy a Cantonese meal and browse the craft shops. The temple fair around the Spring Festival is the liveliest time of the year.

Travel tips

• The temple and Lingnan Tiandi are next to each other and can be covered in half a day
• check the official information for ticket prices and show times. The temple has many stone slabs and steps, so flat shoes are steadier
• summers are hot and humid, so bring water and sun protection.
• The temple is in central Foshan, right by Zumiao metro station
• from Guangzhou, take a high-speed or intercity train to Foshan and transfer to the metro or a bus. Lingnan Tiandi is just outside the temple's east gate, within walking distance. You can visit all year round
• spring and autumn are the most comfortable, while summers are rainy, hot and humid.