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Foshan

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Foshan is a major prefecture-level city located in central Guangdong Province, China. It sits on the western side of the Pearl River Delta megalopolis. This massive urban area is the largest in the world. As of the 2020 census, Foshan had a population of 9,498,863 people. The city is positioned along the Fen River, which flows through its estuaries.

Foshan railway station
Foshan railway station

It is surrounded by several other important cities. Guangzhou lies to the northeast, while Zhongshan is to the southeast. Jiangmen sits to the south, Qingyuan to the north, and Zhaoqing to the west. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate, known scientifically as Cfa.

The name Foshan translates to "Buddha Mountain." This name originates from a small hill near the city center. In AD 628, people discovered three bronze Buddha sculptures on this hill. The town originally grew around a Buddhist monastery. This monastery was eventually destroyed in 1391. Following this, a Taoist temple called the Foshan Ancestral Temple became the community's center. This temple was rebuilt in 1372. Today, the Ancestral Temple serves as the Foshan Municipal Museum.

GZ FS Prayers 3
GZ FS Prayers 3

Foshan has a long history as a center for trade and manufacturing. For much of China's history, it was a minor settlement on the Fen River. However, it eventually grew into one of the four great markets in China. This growth was driven by its local ceramics and metalwork industries. By the 19th century, English observers called it the "Birmingham of China." This nickname reflected its massive steel industry. The city's steel production consumed most of the iron produced in the province. In the early 20th century, rail connections linked Foshan to Guangzhou and Sanshui.

In the 20th century, Foshan underwent many political and economic changes. In 1951, it became a separate county-level city. By 1954, it was designated the seat of the prefectural government. During the Cultural Revolution, the economy faced stagnation. Traditional ceramic production was forbidden during this time. Nevertheless, the city continued to grow toward the 1970s. By that decade, it reached 300,000 people. This made it the second-largest city in Guangdong Province after Guangzhou. In 1983, Foshan was promoted to a prefecture-level city. This change created the Chancheng District from its former core.

Today, Foshan is a massive industrial powerhouse with a diverse economy. In 2015, the city's gross domestic product reached ¥0.8 trillion. This resulted in a per capita GDP exceeding $10,000. The city contains more than 30 specialized industrial towns. These towns focus on sectors like furniture, machinery, and beverages. The Shunde District is particularly notable for its manufacturing output. It contains over 3,000 electronic appliance factories. These facilities produce more than half of the world's air conditioners and refrigerators.

Foshan University Front Gate
Foshan University Front Gate

Additionally, the Foshan Hi-Tech Development Zone manages automobile assembly and biotechnology.

The city is organized into five county-level districts. These are Chancheng, Nanhai, Shunde, Sanshui, and Gaoming. These districts are further divided into 32 township-level divisions. These divisions include 11 subdistricts and 21 towns. Transportation within the city is highly developed. The FMetro system provides local transit through several lines. For example, Line 1 is known as the Guangfo Line. The city also serves as a major railway interchange. It connects travelers to Hong Kong and western Guangdong. For air travel, the city uses Foshan Shadi Airport and the Pearl River Delta International Airport.

Foshan is also a significant cultural hub for China. It is widely regarded as the home of Cantonese opera. This is a specific genre of Chinese opera. The city is also famous for lion dancing and the martial art known as Nanquan. Education is a major part of city life. Many students attend Foshan University or various specialized campuses. The city even hosted major international events. For instance, it was a host city for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It also hosted events during the 2010 Asian Games, including boxing and synchronized swimming.

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File:Foshan railway station.jpg
Foshan railway station.jpg
File:Foshan University Front Gate.jpg
Foshan University Front Gate.jpg
File:GZ FS Prayers 3.jpg
GZ FS Prayers 3.jpg
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