Foshan Shopping

Foshan is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province, located in the heart of the Pearl River Delta. It is one of the origins and flourishing places of Lingnan (岭南) Cantonese culture, known for its famous traditional cultures, including Cantonese cuisine, martial arts, and ceramics. Foshan is recognized as a global food capital and a birthplace of traditional Chinese medicine, boasting numerous local specialties.

So, what are the local specialties of Foshan? They include Xiangyun Fabric (香云纱), Shiwai Fine Arts Ceramics (石湾美术陶瓷), Lunjiao Cake (伦教糕), Sanshui Black-Skin Winter Melon (三水黑皮冬瓜), Yunzha Pig Trotters (酝扎猪蹄), Chen Village Kumquat (陈村年桔), Shunde Eel (顺德鳗鱼), Blind Uncle Cake (佛山盲公饼), Xiqiao Big Cake (西樵大饼), and Lepin Snow Pear Melon (乐平雪梨瓜). Here are the top ten most popular local products from Foshan that you should consider buying.

Top Ten Local Specialties of Foshan

1. Xiangyun Fabric

Soft and Durable / Soft Golden Black Shiny Pearl

Xiangyun Fabric, also known as Xiangyun Sha (香云纱), is one of the most famous local products in Guangdong. It is the only silk fabric in the world dyed with pure plant dyes, praised as "soft gold" in the textile industry. Currently, Xiangyun Fabric can only be produced in Shunde District of Foshan. The base silk fabric is made from pure silk, and during the dyeing process, which involves 14 steps, only natural plant juices from the root of the Chinese yam and river mud rich in high-value iron ions are used. The resulting fabric contains no chemical dyeing agents, causing no environmental pollution, and has health benefits for the skin. The front side of the finished product is glossy black, while the back side is coffee-colored or in its original color. It is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, soft yet resilient, and easy to wash and dry. Its deep color resists dirt, making it a high-end product both domestically and internationally—one of Foshan’s must-buy specialties.

2. Shiwai Fine Arts Ceramics

Vivid and Expressive / Richly Colored - Foshan's City Card

What souvenirs should you buy in Foshan? The editor recommends Shiwai Fine Arts Ceramics (石湾美术陶瓷). Foshan is known as "the Ceramic Capital of the South," with the saying "Shiwai tiles are the best under heaven" reflecting its long history of pottery making for over 700 years. The ancient Nanfeng Kiln, built in the Ming Dynasty, has been continuously operational for over 500 years, making it the oldest existing ceramic wood-fired dragon kiln in the world. Today, Foshan is China's largest and most important ceramic production base, and Shiwai ceramics are a brilliant "business card" for the city. They are distinctive traditional ceramic handicrafts primarily for export. In 2010, Shiwai pottery was nominated in the "Top Ten Cultural Cards of Lingnan" event organized by the Guangdong Propaganda Department.

3. Lunjiao Cake

Snow White and Translucent / Sweet and Smooth

Lunjiao Cake (伦教糕) is a local specialty from Lunjiao Town in Shunde District, Guangdong Province. This traditional snack from the Lingnan region is made from materials like indica rice flour and West Valley rice. The rice flour is fermented with yeast, transforming the starch into a mixture of starch and dextrin, then steamed into shape, resulting in high transparency. Its texture is similar to that of glutinous rice products, with a sweet and refreshing flavor. In 1997, it was awarded the title of "Chinese Famous Snack." Hong Kong gourmet Cai Lan praised it as "my favorite food" in his TV food program, and it has been poetically referred to as "white jade," earning the title of "the first cake of Lingnan," becoming famous within and beyond the province, including Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia.

4. Sanshui Black-Skin Winter Melon

Hard Skin and Thick Flesh / Dense and Fragrant

Sanshui Black-Skin Winter Melon (三水黑皮冬瓜) is a specialty of Sanshui District in Foshan. The area has a large cultivation area for winter melons, resulting in high yields. This melon is long and cylindrical, with dark green skin and a white fuzz (frosted skin). It has a uniform shape with hard skin and thick flesh that is white, dense, and fragrant, with minimal pulp. It is rich in nutrients and contains trace amounts of selenium, making it one of the traditional brand-name agricultural products of Sanshui. On November 2, 2016, the former Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China officially approved the geographical indication protection for "Sanshui Black-Skin Winter Melon."

5. Yunzha Pig Trotters

Crisp Skin and Tender Meat / Fresh and Delicious

Yunzha Pig Trotters (酝扎猪蹄), also known as Foshan Pig Trotters, are a traditional culinary specialty from Foshan. According to online sources, there are two forms of Yunzha Pig Trotters: one made from whole pig trotter and the other prepared by skinning the pig foot, removing tendons and bones, and wrapping lean pork with fat inside the pig skin for fermentation. Over thirty seasonings are used, with the braising spices made from various traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, enhancing the flavor while promoting blood circulation. The unique feature of Yunzha Pig Trotters is that it is flavorful without being overly salty or dry. The trotters are sliced thinly and served with mustard, soy sauce, and garlic.

6. Chen Village Kumquat

Well-Formed Trees / Green Leaves / Perfectly Shaped Fruits

Chen Village Kumquat (陈村年桔) is a specialty fruit from Shunde District of Foshan. Kumquat cultivation has a history of nearly a thousand years in Chen Village, with nearly 80% of kumquats in China's domestic market originating from this area, earning it the title of "the hometown of kumquat." The kumquat trees are aesthetically pleasing with well-formed shapes and vibrant green leaves. The fruits are uniform in size, well-distributed, and have a ripe color of golden yellow or bright red. On September 5, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China approved the geographical indication protection for "Chen Village Kumquat."

7. Shunde Eel

Tender and Smooth / Delicious Meat - The Home of Chinese Eel

Shunde Eel (顺德鳗鱼) is a specialty from Shunde District of Foshan. Its meat is tender, flavorful, and unique, with a moderate fat content and a high yield. Eel farming began in Shunde in 1984, and the region’s unique climate provides an excellent growth environment for eels. Shunde eels are renowned, and it is said, "To see eels in China, look to Guangdong; to see Guangdong eels, look to Shunde," thus earning the title "Home of Chinese Eel." Shunde eels are long, with small eyes, pointed mouths, and wide tails. They have a blue-green back and white belly, with a yield rate of over 70% when processed into grilled eel. They can also be steamed, braised, or canned.

8. Blind Uncle Cake

Rich in Sesame Flavor / Sweet and Crispy - One of the Four Famous Cakes of Guangdong

Blind Uncle Cake (佛山盲公饼) is a traditional delicacy from Foshan, alongside Guangzhou's Chicken Cake, Xiqiao Big Cake, and Zhongshan Almond Cake, forming the "Four Famous Cakes of Guangdong." It is said to have been created by a blind man during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, and the name "Blind Uncle" still appears on the cakes today. Its golden color, rich sesame aroma, and sweet, crispy texture make it a nostalgic snack for many people from Foshan. The aroma is tempting, and the flavor is irresistible; it is a perfect treat that many locals fondly remember. Blind Uncle Cake is popular among both expatriates and domestic consumers and is often chosen as a gift during festivals.

9. Xiqiao Big Cake

Pale Yellow and Soft / Sweet and Smooth - One of the Four Famous Cakes of Guangdong

Xiqiao Big Cake (西樵大饼) is one of Foshan's traditional snacks, made using clear spring water from Xiqiao Mountain. It is recognized as one of the "Four Famous Cakes of Guangdong" alongside Guangzhou's Chicken Cake, Foshan's Blind Uncle Cake, and Zhongshan Almond Cake. This well-known snack has a history of over 300 years and is a popular gift during weddings and festive occasions. It is not only an essential food in the culinary culture of Nanhai and the Pearl River Delta but also a symbolic representation of Xiqiao Town’s food culture. The cake has a pale yellow color, is soft and fragrant, and does not dry out after eating, comparable to egg cakes.

10. Lepin Snow Pear Melon

Fragrant / Sweet and Juicy

Lepin Snow Pear Melon (乐平雪梨瓜) is a specialty of Lepin Town in Sanshui District, Foshan. It is recognized as a geographical indication product in China. The Snow Pear Melon has a smooth, white outer skin and tender, juicy flesh with a sweet taste. It is also low in calories, making it a suitable snack for those who are health-conscious. The fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, providing various health benefits. The best time to enjoy Snow Pear Melons is during the summer, making them an ideal refreshing fruit during hot days.