Foshan history

The history of Foshan is a tale of craftsmanship, trade, and martial arts that spans over a thousand years. Located in the very heart of the Pearl River Delta, this city has been one of the key centres of Southern China since ancient times.

Foundation and First Mentions

Originally, the settlement on the site of modern-day Foshan was known as Jihuaxiang. The city received its current name, which translates as "Buddha Mountain", during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). According to legend, in the year 628, three bronze statues of Buddha were discovered at this location, which prompted the renaming. This event marked the beginning of the transformation of a small settlement into a significant cultural and religious centre.

Key Factors of Growth

Foshan owes its growth and prosperity largely to its strategic geographical position in the fertile and economically active Pearl River Delta, in close proximity to Guangzhou. This facilitated the development of trade, and by the Ming Dynasty era, Foshan had become one of the four great commercial towns of China. The city became a crucial hub for river and maritime transport, allowing its handcrafted goods to gain fame throughout the country and beyond.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, Foshan has been celebrated as a capital of handicrafts. It became known as the home of Chinese ceramics, and its porcelain and silk fabrics were valued throughout the empire. Metallurgy and casting were also among the key industries that flourished here for many centuries. Beyond its economic significance, Foshan has left a deep mark on Chinese culture. The city is considered the cradle of Cantonese opera and the birthplace of many styles of southern martial arts, including the famous Wing Chun, popularized by masters such as Ip Man.

Key Moments in History

• 628 AD (Tang Dynasty) — According to legend, three bronze Buddha statues were discovered on Tapo Hill, giving the area its current name — Foshan ("Buddha Mountain").
• 14th–16th Centuries (Ming Dynasty) — Foshan becomes one of the "Four Great Towns" of China, experiencing a flourishing of crafts, particularly ceramics production and metal casting.
• 17th–19th Centuries (Qing Dynasty) — The city reaches the peak of its economic power, establishing itself as the centre of Cantonese opera and the birthplace of many schools of southern martial arts.
• 1847–1925 — The lifetime of Wong Fei-hung, a legendary martial arts master and folk hero whose activities are inextricably linked with Foshan.
• 1893 — Ip Man is born in Foshan, the future great master of the Wing Chun style and mentor to Bruce Lee.
• 26 June 1951 — Foshan officially receives city status, having been separated from Nanhai County.
• Late 1970s — The city becomes one of the first pilot zones for economic "reform and opening up", launching its rapid modern industrialisation.
• 1 June 1983 — Foshan's status is upgraded to a prefecture-level city, significantly expanding its administrative boundaries and economic influence.
• 1992 — A high-tech development zone is established, attracting investment in industries such as biotechnology and automotive engineering.
• 3 November 2010 — The first metro line (Guangfo Line) opens, directly connecting Foshan with the metropolis of Guangzhou and symbolising a new stage of urban integration.

Key Stages of Foshan's Development

The history of Foshan is a journey from an ancient handicraft centre to a modern industrial metropolis. Key transformations have shaped its economic and cultural landscape, turning it into one of the most important cities in the Pearl River Delta.

• Centre of Crafts and Trade (Ming and Qing Dynasties): During this period, Foshan became one of the "Four Great Commercial Towns" of China. Specialisation in the production of ceramics, silk, and metal casting laid a solid foundation for its economic power and craft traditions, which endure to this day.
• Cradle of Lingnan Culture: The city established itself as the birthplace of Cantonese opera and numerous schools of southern martial arts, including Wing Chun. This formed its unique cultural identity, which has gained worldwide fame and attracts admirers of tradition.
• Pioneer of Economic Reforms (Late 1970s): Foshan became one of the first sites for economic "reform and opening up" in China. This step launched its rapid transformation from a traditional centre into a modern industrial base, opening doors for private enterprise and foreign investment.
• Formation of an Industrial Giant: As a result of reforms, the city turned into a "world factory", especially in the fields of home appliances, furniture, electronics, and construction materials. International companies such as Midea and Galanz are based here.
• Administrative Expansion (1983): Receiving the status of a prefecture-level city allowed for the unification of surrounding counties under a single administration. This created a large urban agglomeration and a unified economic space for large-scale growth.
• Course towards High Technology (since 1992): The creation of the National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone marked a transition towards economic diversification. This attracted investment in advanced industries such as automotive engineering, biotechnology, and new materials production.
• Integration with Guangzhou: The opening of the Guangfo metro line in 2010, directly connecting the two metropolises, became a symbol of the creation of a unified urban agglomeration. This significantly accelerated economic integration, population mobility, and infrastructure development.
• Modern Urban Planning: In recent decades, massive urban planning projects have been actively implemented in Foshan, such as the business district Foshan New City. The creation of modern infrastructure, including new cultural centres, skyscrapers, and transport interchanges, has fundamentally changed the city's appearance and improved the quality of life.

The architectural landscape of Foshan presents a striking contrast between centuries-old traditions and rapid modernisation. The city's urban development reflects its journey from an ancient craft centre to one of the key industrial metropolises of the Pearl River Delta. In its skyline, elegant temple complexes harmoniously coexist with futuristic skyscrapers.

Traditional Lingnan Architecture (Ming and Qing Dynasties)

The historic core of Foshan was shaped by the influence of Lingnan architecture — a Southern Chinese style ideally adapted to the hot and humid subtropical climate. It is characterised by well-ventilated spaces, the use of grey brick, tiled roofs with intricate ceramic ornaments, and skilful wood carving. This style is distinguished by both practicality and rich decoration.

A key monument of this era is the Ancestral Temple (Zumiao), built during the Song Dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. This complex is considered a gem of Lingnan architecture, demonstrating magnificent examples of wood carving, brick carving, and ceramic sculpture. Other iconic sites include the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, which has been operating for about 500 years, and classical gardens such as Liangyuan, reflecting the harmony of nature and architecture.

Period of Industrialisation (Late 20th Century)

With the start of the "reform and opening up" policy in the late 1970s, a construction boom began in Foshan. During this period, architecture was predominantly utilitarian in character. The city was built up with standard industrial buildings, factories, and residential quarters, reflecting rapid economic growth and Foshan's transformation into a major manufacturing centre. Aesthetics gave way to functionality and speed of construction.

Modern Architecture and Urban Planning (21st Century)

In the 21st century, Foshan entered an era of ambitious urban planning and postmodern architecture. A symbol of these transformations is the Foshan New City project — the city's new business and cultural hub. Skyscrapers of glass and steel, futuristic public spaces, and iconic cultural facilities are being erected here. Among them, the He Art Museum, designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando, and the Foshan Entrepreneur Building — a 246-metre skyscraper combining modern forms with references to the traditional lion dance — stand out. These projects demonstrate the city's aspiration to create an ultra-modern urban environment while not forgetting its cultural roots.

Distinguished Personalities in Foshan's History

Foshan, being the cradle of Lingnan culture, has given the world many outstanding individuals. The city is known not only as the home of legendary martial arts masters but also as the place where influential reformers, artists, and successful entrepreneurs were born and worked, whose legacy has had a significant impact on China and the entire world.

Martial Arts Masters

• Wong Fei-hung (1847–1925) — A legendary master of the Hung Ga martial arts style, a physician, and a folk hero. He became famous as a defender of the weak and a symbol of justice. His clinic "Po Chi Lam" in Foshan was not only a medical institution but also a martial arts school. The life of Wong Fei-hung has become the basis for numerous films and series, making him one of the most recognisable figures in Chinese culture.
• Ip Man (1893–1972) — The patriarch of the Wing Chun style, who was the first to openly teach this art. Born into an aristocratic family in Foshan, he dedicated his life to perfecting and spreading Wing Chun. Ip Man gained worldwide fame as the mentor of the legendary Bruce Lee. Today, a museum dedicated to his life and legacy operates in Foshan.

Philosophers and Reformers

• Kang Youwei (1858–1927) — An outstanding philosopher, calligrapher, and leader of the reform movement at the end of the Qing era. Born in Nanhai County (now a district of Foshan), he became the ideologue of the "Hundred Days' Reform", aimed at modernising China along the lines of Western countries. Although his reforms failed, Kang Youwei's ideas had a tremendous influence on the country's subsequent intellectual and political development.

Entrepreneurs and Industrialists

• He Xiangjian (born 1942) — Founder of Midea Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers of home appliances. He started his business in 1968 with a small workshop in Beijiao (now Shunde District) and turned it into a global corporation headquartered in Foshan. He Xiangjian is one of the wealthiest and most influential entrepreneurs in China.
• Yang Guoqiang (born 1954) — Founder and chairman of the board of Country Garden Holdings, one of the largest property development companies in China. Born in Shunde District, he went from a simple farmer and builder to the head of a giant corporation implementing large-scale projects around the world. His daughter, Yang Huiyan, who inherited the business, has repeatedly been recognised as the wealthiest woman in Asia.