Top Foshan Activities

Hand-on cultural activities

A trip to Foshan, China, offers numerous opportunities for hands-on activities and immersive experiences, allowing you to connect deeply with its rich cultural heritage. You can immerse yourself in various intriguing cultural activities, such as Chinese lion head assembling, Experience Paper-cutting, enjoying Cantonese opera, participating in kung fu classes, Pottery Making and watching lively lion dance performances, among others.

Chinese lion head assembling

>Chinese lion head assembling

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Foshan

No limitation on the number of participants, but 10 people and above can share a lower price.

According to historical records, lion dance can be traced back to the Tang dynasty, when it was performed for emperors. The Southern lion dance, originating in Guangdong, is one of the most popular traditional performances, mimicking the behavior of a lion. It has become an essential part of traditional festivals and special occasions.

The Chinese believe that lion dance brings good fortune while dispelling evil spirits and negative energy. This performance is a fusion of dance and martial arts movements, accompanied by the rhythm of drums, cymbals, and gongs. In Guangdong, most lion dancers are well-trained in Kung Fu, as some of the movements require fierce and powerful displays to demonstrate the lion's strength and masculinity.

The colors of the lion represent different symbolic meanings, with the traditional colors being red, yellow, and black. In Foshan, you can visit a workshop where craftsmen create Chinese lion heads using traditional methods. You will also have the opportunity to combine different parts and decorate your own mini lion head.

Kungfu Class

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Health & Fitness
• Duration: Half a day
• Location: Foshan

Foshan, regarded as the “Capital of Guangdong Kung Fu”, is the main origin of Southern Kung Fu in China. It is home to many renowned masters, such as Wong Fei-hung and Ip Man, as well as famous Chinese martial arts styles, including Wing Chun and Choy Li Fut.

First appeared as an independent type of martial arts in the Ming dynasty, Guangdong martial arts have developed rich fighting styles over the centuries. Guangdong Kung Fu with its essential core formed by traditional Chinese philosophy, has absorbed the teachings of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. In this session, you will spend half a day learning the fundamental Kung Fu movements from a Kung Fu master. In the weekends evening, you will find some Kung Fu enthusiasts practicing Kung Fu movements with each other.

This martial art style has left a lasting impact on the martial arts community and continues to inspire practitioners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Watch and Learn Lion dance

Foshan Lion Dance

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art, Fitness
• Tour Length : Half day
• Location: GuangzhouandFoshan

The lion dance is a traditional dance performed during Chinese New Year and other special occasions. In Guangdong Province, many cities like Guangzhou and Foshan often have Lion Dance performances during festivals and special events. Cultural center of local temples, and major shopping areas might also host such shows. Especially the Foshan lion dance, which is not just a dance performance but a cultural activity that blends martial arts, dance, and music.

Guangdong lion dance, also known as Xing Shi. It is a significant part of Chinese culture and is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the community. Watch a traditional lion dance performance. The lion dance is a dynamic and resplendent spectacle. The adept dancers in elaborate costumes bring the lions to life with their acrobatic feats and pulsating drumbeats. Join a class to learn the moves and try on a lion dance costume.

Pottery Making

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art
• Tour Length : 3 hours
• Location: Foshan

Foshan, a city renowned for its martial arts and Cantonese opera, is also famous for its rich ceramic culture. In Shiwan Town, Foshan, lies an ancient ceramic workshop—Nan Feng Ancient Kiln. This site not only carries the glorious history of Foshan’s ceramic industry but also serves as an important base for the inheritance of traditional ceramic arts.

The Nan Feng Ancient Kiln, a 500-year-old ceramic culture hub that showcases the charm of ceramic art and preserves traditional craftsmanship. It attracts visitors to experience the joy of pottery making. Upon entering the ancient kiln, you can observe skilled ceramic masters crafting pottery on-site. From kneading clay, throwing pots, and carving to firing, each step demonstrates the artisans' exquisite skills and respect for traditional techniques. You can follow the guidance of experienced teachers and try their hand at pottery making themselves, immersing in the delight of this traditional craft.

Admire Qiuse Parade

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art
• Tour Length : 3 hours
• Location: Foshan

The Foshan Qiuse Parade is a beloved national cultural event, celebrated by the local community. As part of the "Autumn Colors Tour in Foshan," it allows tourists to deeply appreciate the unique charm of Foshan. With a history dating back nearly 600 years to the Jin Dynasty, the parade is a recognized National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The parade is held annually from November 1st to 3rd, features dazzling displays, traditional performances, and a vibrant atmosphere along Zumiao Street in Chancheng District. Known for its seven thematic sections—Lantern Color, Cart Color, Horse Color, Water Color, Scene Color, Ground Color, and Floating Color—the parade blends art, drama, music, dance, and acrobatics. Highlights include Foshan’s famous lion and dragon dances, Cantonese Opera, Chaoshan Yingge Dance, martial arts, and traditional crafts.

The Qiuse Parade is a folk tradition to celebrate abundant harvests and showcase achievements. It has become a key event that highlights Foshan’s cultural identity.

Watch Cantonese opera

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art
• Tour Length : 2 hours
• Location: Foshan

Foshan is the birthplace of Cantonese opera, an ancient traditional theatrical form that embodies Lingnan culture. Known for its melodious singing, captivating performances, and stunning costumes, Foshan Cantonese opera has evolved over centuries, developing a unique and rich vocal system. The performance art of Foshan Cantonese opera is truly awe-inspiring. Through various techniques such as singing, acting, reciting, and combat, actors vividly portray their roles, bringing characters to life with great detail and emotion. It is often said that "a minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage." In 2006, Cantonese opera was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. With the older generation passing down their skills, the younger generation being trained in schools, and modern media promoting it, Cantonese opera has experienced a renaissance in the new era.

You can visit the Foshan Ancestral Temple or the Foshan Cantonese Opera Theatre to enjoy Cantonese opera. At the Foshan Ancestral Temple, there is a stage called Wanfu Terrace, which was first built in the 15th year of the Shunzhi reign (1658) during the Qing Dynasty. It features a brick-and-wood structure with upturned eaves, intricate carvings, and painted beams. Wanfu Terrace is renowned as the "first stage of Lingnan," and local Cantonese operas are often performed here during holidays and festivals.

Experience Paper-cutting

Paper-cutting

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art
• Tour Length : 2 hours
• Location: Foshan

Foshan paper-cutting originated in the Song Dynasty, flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and has a history of over 800 years. Its style is magnificent and vibrant, yet also rugged and ancient. It combines the bold, powerful characteristics of northern paper-cutting with the delicate, elegant, and serene qualities of southern paper-cutting. The themes of Foshan paper-cutting are primarily flowers, birds, insects, fish, opera characters, and folk stories. Its structures are grand and dynamic, with exaggerated, luxurious color schemes. Techniques such as cutting, engraving, stamping, writing, and highlighting are used together, giving it a distinctive regional flair.

Among the many types of paper-cutting in Foshan, the copper chisel paper-cutting is the most distinctive. It uses a small steel chisel, similar to a ballpoint pen, on copper foil, with a wooden mallet to tap the chisel. The chisel gradually creates small dots, which are then connected into lines to form intricate patterns. This unique method, where chiseling replaces drawing and tapping replaces painting, is the only paper-cutting technique of its kind in China.

Visiting the paper-cutting exhibition hall not only allows you to admire these exquisite artworks but also gives you the opportunity to create your own paper-cutting masterpiece. For those eager to experience the charm of this art form, it's a wonderful choice.

As a traditional art with a long history, each paper-cutting piece represents the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture. Additionally, they make unique and meaningful gifts, perfect for family, friends, or colleagues. The paper-cutting exhibition hall not only adds a special memory to your trip but also lets you take a piece of Foshan's traditional culture home with you.

Foshan Tea culture

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art, food
• Tour Length : 1-2 hours
• Location: Foshan

Are you tired of the usual travel plans? If you're looking for a unique way to experience Lingnan culture, then come to Foshan! Here, you'll find not only beautiful scenery and rich history but also a distinctive morning tea culture waiting for you to explore.

As one of the birthplaces of Lingnan culture, Foshan has a long-standing morning tea tradition. "One pot, two items" encapsulates the essence of this culture—"one pot" refers to tea, and "two items" are the dim sum. In the morning sunshine, people gather to sip tea, enjoy dim sum, and chat, relishing the slow-paced life. You can immerse yourself in this unique morning tea culture, shed the fatigue of travel, and savor some leisurely moments.

Customize Your Unique Foshan Tour

If you are interested in one of the Foshan itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

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