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The city of Foshan, with a history of over a thousand years, is a place where Lingnan Culture is nourished and flourishes. It is well known nationwide as the “the City of Pottery”, as well as the origin of Cantonese cuisine, Cantonese Opera and Lingnan Lion Dance. To have a close-up experience of Lingnan Culture, a group of around twenty foreign teachers and scholars of SCUT set out for a trip to Foshan on April 8. This was a trip organized by the International Office of SCUT to explore local customs and cultures.  

The first port of all was the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, a famous example of Foshan’s ancient pottery culture. It is nicknamed “the living fossil of ceramics” because it has been unceasingly producing pottery for the past 500 years. The century-old craftsmanship is still being carried forward in modern times. After listening intently to the introduction and stories from the tour guide, we all felt as though we were embarking on a mysterious journey tracing back to the origins of pottery. We learned about the history, the production and the unique craftsmanship of pottery. As we examined the kiln inch by inch, we were intrigued by its historical significance and the profound history Chinese culture. Later, we had the opportunity to try our hand at pottery during a DIY workshop next to the kiln; this was one of the highlights of the trip. With our hands busy shaping wet clay and our feet on the brake of the potter’s wheel, we were having fun making a piece of art as well as asking questions and learning from the potters at the workshop.  

The next place we visited was Zumiao Temple, which is also known as the Palace of Oriental Folk Art. Being regarded as the totem among local residents, the temple is a combination of treasures, from its wooden carvings to its foundry and architecture. It is also a melting pot of different folk art including the lion dance, martial arts and paper cutting. Everyone was amazed by the architecture of the Zumiao Temple complex, which is so well-preserved and solidly built. The largest statue of Taoist God Beidi, which is made of pure copper, was also a sight to behold. We then visited the Huangfeihong Memorial Hall, commemorating the famous expert of martial arts, and the Ip Man Memorial Hall which commemorates the pioneering master of Wing Chun Kungfu. Finally, we enjoyed a martial arts exhibition and lion dance performance, both of which conveyed the rich Lingnan customs and culture.

The One Day Visit is an annual event of the International Scholars Club, organized by the SCUT International Office. Through initiating various cultural activities, the Club aims to spread Chinese culture among SCUT foreign teachers and therefore enhance cross-cultural exchange and cooperation.      

Edited by Susan, proofread by Paul Winning

International Scholars Office

South China University of Technology