Foshan, founded in Jin Dynasty and named in Tang Dynasty, is the well-known historical and cultural city in China. Five thousand years ago, people began to create original civilization by means of fishing, farming and fabricating ceramics. In the second year of Zhenguan rein in Tang Dynasty (AD 628), three figures of Buddha were unearthed at Tapo Hillock in the city and a stone tablet inscribed with the name of "Foshan" ever since.

Early in Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty (more than 1000 years ago), Foshan was a prosperous place with developed handicraft industry, commerce and culture. In Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, it developed into a prosperous town with swarms of merchants as well as developed industry and commerce. It was then honored as one of "Four Famous Towns" represented by Hankou Town in Hubei Province, Jingdezhen Town in Jiangxi Province and Zhuxianzhen Town in Henan Province. It was also regarded as one of "Four Distribution Centers" nationally together with Beijing, Suzhou and Hankou. Foshan has a long history of ceramic fabrication, and is crowned the name of "Capital of Ceramic in South China".

The centuries-old historical civilization of Foshan has nurtured unique traditional Lingnan Culture. Foshan is known as the cradle of folk arts in PRD as well as the birthplace of Canton Opera, the "Red Bean in South China" and the martial arts. It is the hometown of prominent figures of Kungfu, represented by Li Xiaolong (Bruce Lee) and Huang Feihong. Culture of ceramics, martial arts, flower, herbal medicine, canton opera and Qiuse (parade celebrating autumn harvest) of Foshan enjoy high reputation both at home and abroad.

Now Foshan is the third largest city in Guangdong. The city is relatively affluent when compared to other Chinese cities, and it is home to many large private enterprises. Foshan recently has seen a transformation brought by China' s booming economy. Foshan is also famous for its numerous Wing Chun schools where many come to train and spar.

Agriculture

There are Agricultural Model Districts (AMD) around the prefecture, such as Shunde Chencun AMD, and AMDs in Daili Town, Shatou Town and Locun Town in Nanhai, with a total area of about 9.4 km². The AMDs aim to provide an all-round environment for modern agriculture. Agricultural processes are upgraded through technology, and sale service is incorporated with a new style of tourism that attracts target clients. The modern integrated practice mode resulted in the reputation of the largest base for wholesale, food production, storage and logistics of agricultural products in Guangdong Province.

Manufacturing Industries

Following Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Foshan is the third largest manufacturing base in the Pearl River Delta. Its current economic strength lies in privates firms and Township and Village Enterprises in Shunde and Nanhai. Now the key industries in Foshan include: Household electrical appliance and tool manufacturing; Furniture; Non - metal ore and manufacturing; Electronics and communications; Stainless steel products; Plastic products; Ceramics, etc. Some well - known brands to come out of these pillar industries include Midea, Kelon, and Jianlibao. Foshan' s furniture and lighting industry is known as the world' s largest furniture wholesale market and the world's largest lighting wholesale market.

Foshan aims to become a manufacturing giant and the third largest city in Guangdong. To do this, it has pledged to make large-scale investment in the construction of the infrastructure such as transportation and energy. Urban development will focus on the central urban group and Shunde urban group, each with more than one million inhabitants. Gaoming District and Shunde District are further divided into 64 township-level divisions, including 37 towns and 27 subdistricts.

Foshan is close to Guangzhou and considers its link with Guangzhou very important. A Guangzhou - Foshan metropolitan region is being formed.