Foshan Administrative Divisions

Foshan (佛山) is a prefecture-level city in central Guangdong and one of the principal cities of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区). It borders Guangzhou to the east and is closely connected with Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao through the regional railway, expressway and urban transport network.

The city covers approximately 3,797.72 square kilometres and administers five urban districts: Chancheng District (禅城区), Nanhai District (南海区), Shunde District (顺德区), Gaoming District (高明区) and Sanshui District (三水区). Foshan is officially recognized as a National Historic and Cultural City.

At the end of 2024, Foshan contained 11 subdistricts and 21 towns. Its tourism resources range from temples, ceramic kilns and classical gardens to mountains, rivers, water towns, creative districts, theme parks and food-related experiences.

Foshan’s Regional Tourism Structure

Foshan is developing the “Four Mountains and Two Rivers” Tourism Zone, based on Xiqiao Mountain (西樵山), Shunfeng Mountain (顺峰山), Zaomu Mountain (皂幕山), Nandan Mountain (南丹山), the Xijiang River (西江) and the Beijiang River (北江). The plan connects natural landscapes with ancient villages, cultural heritage, rural tourism and outdoor recreation across all five districts.

Each district has a clear tourism identity. Chancheng represents historic Foshan and ceramic culture; Nanhai combines mountains, dragon boats and urban leisure; Shunde is centered on food, gardens and water towns; Gaoming specializes in mountains and countryside resorts; and Sanshui focuses on forests, rivers, flowers and outdoor sports.

Chancheng District: Historic Foshan and Ceramic Culture

Chancheng District (禅城区) administers three subdistricts—Zumiao Subdistrict (祖庙街道), Shiwan Town Subdistrict (石湾镇街道) and Zhangcha Subdistrict (张槎街道)—together with Nanzhuang Town (南庄镇).

As Foshan’s historic urban center, Chancheng preserves the strongest concentration of Lingnan architecture, martial arts, Cantonese opera and ceramic heritage. Foshan Ancestral Temple (佛山祖庙) is the district’s cultural landmark and includes the Wong Fei-hung Memorial Hall and Ip Man Hall.

Nanfeng Ancient Kiln (南风古灶) represents Shiwan’s centuries-old pottery tradition, while Liang Garden (梁园) is one of the historic Lingnan gardens of Guangdong. Lingnan Tiandi (岭南天地) combines restored residences and ancestral buildings with cafés, shops and restaurants.

The developing Meitaowan Ceramic Culture District (美陶湾) connects old kilns, museums, workshops and creative spaces, making Chancheng the best district for a first-time Foshan cultural tour.

Nanhai District: Xiqiao Mountain, Dragon Boats and Urban Leisure

Nanhai District (南海区) administers Guicheng Subdistrict (桂城街道) and six towns: Lishui (里水), Jiujiang (九江), Danzao (丹灶), Xiqiao (西樵), Dali (大沥) and Shishan (狮山).

The district’s best-known natural landmark is the national 5A-rated Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area (西樵山风景名胜区). The mountain combines volcanic landforms, forests, lakes, temples and southern Chinese martial-arts culture.

Guicheng is associated with Qiandeng Lake (千灯湖) and the spectacular Diejiao Dragon Boat Drifting Race (叠滘龙船漂移), in which long boats navigate narrow waterways and sharp bends during the Dragon Boat Festival period.

Other tourism resources include Guangdong Romance Park (广东千古情景区), Lingnan villages, Jiujiang’s river and wine culture and projects connected with the Nanhai Land Art Festival (南海大地艺术节). The art festival is a periodic cultural program rather than a permanently operating scenic attraction, so exhibition dates should be checked before travel.

Shunde District: UNESCO Gastronomy, Gardens and Water Towns

Shunde District (顺德区) administers four subdistricts—Daliang (大良), Ronggui (容桂), Lunjiao (伦教) and Leliu (勒流)—and six towns: Chencun (陈村), Beijiao (北滘), Lecong (乐从), Longjiang (龙江), Jun’an (均安) and Xingtan (杏坛).

Shunde is one of the cradles of Cantonese cuisine and joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy in 2014. Its culinary culture emphasizes fresh ingredients, delicate preparation and the natural flavor of fish, poultry, dairy products and seasonal produce.

Major attractions include Qinghui Garden (清晖园) in Daliang, Fengjian Water Town (逢简水乡) in Xingtan and Shunde OCT Harbour PLUS (顺德欢乐海岸PLUS) with its waterfront entertainment and Shunde Eye Ferris wheel.

Chencun Flower World (陈村花卉世界) reflects the traditions of the historic “Flower Town,” while Ronggui Fisherman’s Wharf presents industrial regeneration, riverside scenery and contemporary nightlife. Shunde is the best district for travelers combining sightseeing with an in-depth food tour.

Gaoming District: Mountains, Countryside and Resort Holidays

Gaoming District (高明区) administers Hecheng Subdistrict (荷城街道) and the three towns of Yanghe (杨和), Genghe (更合) and Mingcheng (明城).

Gaoming has a more rural and mountainous character than central Foshan. Zaomu Mountain (皂幕山) contains Foshan’s highest peak, rising to approximately 805 metres, and is known for hiking, forest scenery, sunrise and cloud views.

Other tourism resources include Midea Egret Lake Forest Resort (美的鹭湖森林度假区) and Yingxiang Heartbeat Park (盈香心动乐园), which combine countryside recreation, family activities and resort accommodation.

The Sucun Koi Cultural District (蘇村锦鲤文化街区) has developed local food, dragon-boat traditions and community activities into a new cultural-tourism experience. Gaoming is most suitable for self-driving holidays, outdoor travelers and visitors seeking a quieter alternative to central Foshan.

Sanshui District: Forests, Rivers and Outdoor Sports

Sanshui District (三水区) administers Xinan Subdistrict (西南街道) and Yundonghai Subdistrict (云东海街道), together with five towns: Lubu (芦苞), Datang (大塘), Baini (白坭), Leping (乐平) and Nanshan (南山).

Sanshui lies near the meeting area of the Xijiang, Beijiang and Suijiang river systems. Its principal tourism resources include Nandan Mountain Forest Kingdom (南丹山森林王国), Sanshui Lotus World (三水荷花世界) and the woodland and reservoir landscapes of Sanshui Forest Park.

Former quarry lakes have also become popular photography and outdoor-recreation settings. Some are promoted online under names such as “Blue Tears Quarry Lake”, but they are not necessarily formal scenic areas. Access conditions, ownership, water depth and safety restrictions should be checked before visiting.

Sanshui is also known for the community football tournament popularly called Foshan “West League” (佛山“西甲”). Matches, food markets and cultural activities have helped develop a distinctive sports-tourism identity, although the competition schedule changes annually.

Complete Foshan Administrative Division Table

How to Plan a Foshan Regional Tour

A first-time two-day itinerary should focus on Chancheng and Shunde. Spend one day visiting Foshan Ancestral Temple, Lingnan Tiandi and Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, followed by a second day combining Qinghui Garden, traditional Shunde food and Shunfeng Mountain or OCT Harbour PLUS.

A three-day itinerary can add Xiqiao Mountain and Qiandeng Lake in Nanhai. Travelers interested in villages and waterways may replace the modern urban attractions with Fengjian Water Town, Bijiang or the rural areas around Xiqiao.

Gaoming and Sanshui are better suited to a separate self-driving journey. Their mountains, forest parks and countryside attractions are relatively far from the metro-served urban core.

Metro services are convenient for Chancheng, eastern Nanhai and parts of Shunde. A private car or chartered vehicle is more practical for Xiqiao Mountain, rural water towns, Zaomu Mountain, Nandan Mountain and other outlying destinations.

Foshan’s administrative structure also explains its tourism diversity: Chancheng preserves the old city, Nanhai connects mountains with modern urban culture, Shunde represents Cantonese gastronomy, Gaoming offers mountain retreats, and Sanshui opens toward forests, rivers and outdoor sports.