As one of Foshan's modern district, Shunde reserves a lot of cultural relics to astonish visitors. The gardens and luxurious buildings reveal the lives of ancient officials and businessmen with valuable artworks.

Qinghui Garden

Qinghui Garden on Qinghui Road, Daliang Township, was one of Guangdong's four famous gardens in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and is now a provincial cultural relics reservation. It has all the features of ancient Chinese courtyards with unique-shaped kiosks, fancy engravings and exquisite artwork.

The colorful windows found all through the garden were all made of expensive polychrome glass imported from Italy and France. Artists etched various landscapes and flower patterns on the glass as etching was quite popular at the time.

The most unique etching is the one showing Guangzhou's eight scenic spots selected in the Qing Dynasty, which were scratched on eight square golden glasses and displayed at Muying Gully entrance. They are allegedly the only set of glasswork to show ancient Guangzhou's eight scenic spots.

Other sights: Boat Hall, Bixi Thatched Cottage and Bamboo Garden.

Ticket price: 15 yuan

Golden Building

The centuries-old Golden Building is located in Bijiang Community, Beijiao Township. The group of buildings was constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1638-1911) and shows the Pearl River Delta's ancient architecture as well as a typical high-rank official's house. The Golden Building's major attraction is its gold leaf-covered woodcarvings which decorate the houses.

The carving's patterns are lifelike and cover almost everything in the nature, making the woodcarvings very valuable.

The building is also home to several well-known scholars' calligraphy, like Liu Yong, the prime minister during the Qianlong period (1736-1796).

Ticket price: 15 yuan

Three spots in Jun'an

The Bingyu Hall was once the home for Zi Shu Nu or women who never married. The Pearl River Delta was forced open at the end of the Qing Dynasty and many factories opened, providing a lot of work opportunities for local girls. The girls chose an independent life to match their sudden economic independence and refused to get married. They combed their hair a certain way and made it public they would be single for their entire life. Some unmarried working women donated money to establish the Bingyu Hall in the 1930s and lived in it since they were not allowed to live with their families. But they haven't lived in the hall in recent years and it has become a tourist attraction.

The renowned kung fu star Bruce Lee was born in Jun'an. His former residence is now a hot spot for his fans.

The Jun'an Ecology Park covers a total area of 2 million square meters with over 20 hills and a number of fish ponds dotted through the park. Green hills, pure water and dark green trees set each other off beautifully. Tourists can fish, raise silkworms, boat, barbecue, make clay sculptures, and grow flowers in the park. The green maze and the camping area provide entertainment for visitors who are a bit more adventurous.

Ticket price: 40 yuan (including the Bingyu Hall, Bruce Lee's former residence and the Ecology Park)

Travel tips

To get to Shunde, travelers in Shenzhen may take a bus at Futian Bus Station. It costs 70 yuan (US$8) for a single ticket. The bus departs every 90 minutes and the first bus leaves at 7:20 AM.

(Shenzhen Daily April 8, 2005)