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Discover Foshan’s Cultural Fusion: Art, Commerce, and Community

Friday, April 4, 2025

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Travelog
Nestled in the heart of the Pearl River Delta, Foshan 佛山 is a city that effortlessly bridges China’s rich heritage with cutting-edge modernity. As a pivotal member of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, it’s just a 30-minute ride from Guangzhou and easily accessible from Zhuhai via light rail. Known as the birthplace of Cantonese opera, martial arts legends like Bruce Lee and Wong Fei-hung, and as a global ceramics hub, Foshan is a treasure trove of cultural wonders.

HEM: A Symphony of Light and Space
A perfect way to begin your exploration is with a leisurely morning at He Art Museum (HEM). Designed by the legendary architect Tadao Ando, this concrete-and-glass marvel in Shunde 順德 District is more than a museum—it’s a spiritual dialogue between art and nature. The spiral staircase, bathed in sunlight filtering through geometric skylights, leads visitors through exhibitions that blend Lingnan culture with global contemporary art.

The exhibitions at HEM showcase a wide range of contemporary art, offering a glimpse into the vibrant creative spirit of the region. From March to July 2025, HEM will feature three groundbreaking shows: Fan Bo’s “A Fable of Prophecy,” which deconstructs mythology through striking bronze sculptures and clinical installations; French-Israeli artist Nathanaëlle Herbelin’s “Feel the Pulse,” the museum’s first international residency project, capturing urban intimacy through hyperrealistic portraits and interactive sketching; and emerging artist Huang Baoying’s “Taste of Salt and Water,” which uses melting wax and frost-reactive glass to visualize emotional fragility. Together, these exhibits redefine tradition through contemporary lenses, inviting viewers to engage deeply with the narratives they present.

Pro tip: Time your visit for the golden-hour glow in the central atrium—it’s a photographer’s dream.

ALSO: Creativity Unleashed
Just across from HEM lies the ALSO Cultural-Commercial Complex, a vibrant hub redefining urban culture. This “content co-creation community” buzzes with indie bookstores, live music venues, and avant-garde retail.

I spent hours at OWSPACE (South China’s first outpost of Beijing’s cult-favorite bookstore), sipping coffee while flipping through art zines. The atmosphere was inviting and relaxed, making it an ideal spot for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the local art scene.

As the sun sets, the ALSO LIVE stage comes alive with indie bands, and the open-air plaza transforms into a vibrant social hub. You can unwind with live jazz at ALSO LIVE or enjoy a craft cocktail at one of the nearby bars. If you’re fortunate, you might stumble upon a pop-up market showcasing local designers, a unique opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind creations.

Foshan isn’t just a day-trip add-on to Guangzhou. Walking through the city, I was struck by the seamless integration of tradition and modernity. With HEM and ALSO, it’s a dynamic canvas where ancient craftsmanship meets millennial innovation. As I left, a quote from Ando lingered in my mind: “Architecture is the art of space.” Here, that space pulses with life—an exhilarating testament to a city that honors its past while boldly scripting its future.

Can’t miss: The ALSO Curator Community – chat with local artists in their shared studios to uncover Foshan’s underground creative scene. MDT, in Foshan