Foshan, Prefecture-level city in Guangdong, China
Foshan is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong made up of five administrative districts: Chancheng, Shunde, Sanshui, Nanhai and Gaoming, which together form the entire municipality. The area spreads across the Pearl River Delta and covers both densely built urban neighborhoods and rural zones with canals and rice paddies.
The area received its current name in 628 when local residents uncovered three bronze Buddha statues, leading to the designation meaning Buddha Mountain. By the 18th century it had grown into one of four major commercial hubs in China, drawing merchants from across the country.
The name traces back to bronze Buddha statues discovered by residents and connects the area to religious motifs still visible in temple architecture and public spaces. The streets hold workshops where ceramic artisans, metalworkers and martial arts schools train students in techniques handed down through generations.
The districts connect through a metro system and several expressways that also link to Guangzhou and nearby cities for easy day trips. The two railway stations offer connections to major Chinese hubs and make longer journeys more manageable for travelers.
The area formed part of a network of four major trading centers alongside Hankou, Zhuxianzhen and Jingdezhen that shaped commerce across China through the 18th century. This role brought together merchants and craftspeople who established the reputation for ceramics and metalwork that continues today.
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