Foshan Ancestral Temple-
Savor Lingnan Culture Here！
Built during the Northern Song Dynasty, Foshan Ancestral Temple is the largest temple dedicated to the Northern Emperor in the Lingnan region. The architectural complex of the temple integrates Lingnan characteristics, featuring exquisite decorations with a wide use of pottery sculpture, wood carving, brick carving, and other crafts.
The temple is not only a center of religious belief but also a hub of Foshan's folk culture. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, which is the birthday of the Northern Emperor, grand celebrations are held here. The Wanfu Stage within the temple is one of the best-preserved ancient opera stages in South China, often hosting traditional opera performances.
Travel Information
Opening Hours: 8:30-18:00 daily, with ticket checking stops at 17:30
Suggested Visit Duration:1-3 hours
Must-See Highlights
Huang Feihong Memorial Hall
Huang Feihong Memorial Hall is a two-story building imitating the Qing Dynasty-style architecture with grey bricks and pot-eared gables, adopting the traditional Lingnan architectural style.
The exhibition area inside covers over 930 square meters, divided into seven core sections such as “Huang Feihong in Novels” and “Huang Feihong in Films.” Through physical objects, pictures, multimedia, and other forms, it comprehensively displays Huang Feihong’s life story and his image in film and literary works. The memorial hall also recreates the “Baozhilin” clinic, showcasing Huang Feihong’s martial arts achievements and his far-reaching influence on lion dance culture.
Yewen Pavillion
Yewen Pavillion is a thematic exhibition hall established in memory of Yip Man, the legendary master of Wing Chun martial arts. Ye Wen(1893-1972) was a world-renowned martial arts master who began learning Wing Chun Martial Arts at the age of 7 under the tutelage of Chen Huashun. He later promoted Wing Chun Martial Arts in Hong Kong and trained many disciples, including Bruce Lee. Yewen Pavillion showcases Ye Wen’s life story, the development of Wing Chun, and related artifacts, making it an important place for understanding Wing Chun culture.
Lingnan Xintandi
Lingnan Xintandi is a renowned cultural and tourism district in Foshan, located beside Foshan Ancestral Temple. It preserves a large number of ancient Lingnan buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as pot-eared houses and grey-brick houses, exuding a strong sense of history. The district blends tradition with modernity, featuring century-old shops as well as trendy restaurants and creative boutiques. People can enjoy Foshan’s specialty snacks. It’s an ideal place to experience Lingnan culture, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Travel Information for Lingnan Xintiandi
Opening Hours: 24 hours a day.
Most shops operate from 10:00 to 22:00.
Suggested Visit Duration: 1.5 hours
Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances
The intangible cultural heritage(ICH) performances at Foshan Ancestral Temple are diverse, including lion dance, martial arts, and Cantonese opera. The temple also hosts traditional events such as the Northern Emperor's Birthday, featuring large-scale processions and ICH fairs. These events showcase Foshan's traditional crafts, such as paper-cutting, colored paper binding, and Shiwan pottery.
Schedule for ICH Performances
Martial Arts and Lion Dance Performances:
10:00-10:40 and 14:15-14:55, 15:30-16:10 daily (Suspended on rainy days)
Cantonese Opera Performances at Wanfu Stage:
13:30-15:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month
Can't-miss Food of Foshan Ancestral Temple
The area around Foshan Ancestral Temple is rich in delicious food, with a wide variety of snacks. For example, "Wu Ying Jiao Chen's Blind Man Meatballs" are made by pounding three types of meat—chicken, fish, and pork—resulting in a fresh and chewy texture. There is also "Lunjiao Cake," a traditional Lingnan dessert that is soft, glutinous, and sweet. The rice noodles and Beef Triad at "Shisan Yi" are also worth trying. The rice noodles are smooth and soft, while the Beef Triad is tender and flavorful.
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Foshan Ancestral Temple include spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
In spring, the weather is mild and suitable for outdoor activities, and you can enjoy the beautiful Lingnan architecture around the temple.
In autumn, the cool weather makes it perfect for strolling through the temple and appreciating the charm of the Lingnan architecture.
During the Spring Festival, the temple hosts a variety of cultural activities, such as lion dance performances and Cantonese opera shows, which are full of festive atmosphere.
On certain weekends or during the Spring Festival, the temple also offers limited night tours with brilliant lights, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique night views and performances.
