“Foshan’s Origins” - Before Foshan, There Was Tapo — The Origin of the Name “Foshan”
For most agents, their first impression of Foshan likely comes from the The Story of Wong Fei-Hung film series. The famous “Shadowless Kick of Foshan” has become legendary worldwide. But where does the name “Foshan” actually come from?
Following the previous feature [Sacred Realm of Zumiao], this issue of the preparation team newsletter introduces another key historical landmark along the central axis of Foshan’s old city. After visiting [Echoes of Luoshui] and [Sacred Realm of Zumiao], we hope this will help you gain a deeper understanding of the city.
For this Mission Day, based on the official “Foshan Old City Walking Route,” we designed the [Foshan’s Origins] mission. It continues from the [Sacred Realm of Zumiao] mission, covering about 600 meters from Zhaoxiang Road to Weiguo Road. Each portal along the route corresponds to a historic building or heritage site, telling small but meaningful stories about Foshan.
Let’s begin at Zhaoxiang Huang Ancestral Hall (Cantonese Opera Museum of Guangdong):
Zhaoxiang Huang Ancestral Hall (Cantonese Opera Museum)
“Fragrance of Qionghua, Echoes of Cantonese Opera in Foshan”
Though not extremely ancient, the hall was first built in 1920 and completed after 15 years. Covering about 1,061 square meters, it follows a traditional Lingnan-style four-courtyard layout. It was originally the ancestral hall of Huang Danian, founder of the well-known traditional medicine “Huang Xianghua Ruyi Oil.”
On May 23, 2003, it was restored as a protected cultural heritage site and reopened as the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Museum.
Inside, you’ll find a plaque reading “Qionghua Guild Hall.” In Cantonese opera circles, there is a saying:
“Before the Eight Harmony Guild, there was Jiqing; before Jiqing, there was Qionghua.”
As early as the Ming Dynasty, Foshan had a thriving local opera scene. Various troupes emerged, and during the Jiajing era, performers established a guild hall known as the Qionghua Guild. Notably, Foshan’s first modern theater, the Qionghua Grand Theater, was named after it.
The hall also enshrines Huaguang Dadi, the Fire Deity, who is regarded as the patron saint of Cantonese opera. Historically, opera stages were made of bamboo and wood, making them highly vulnerable to fire. Performers worshipped Huaguang Dadi to pray for safety and success, a tradition that continues today, especially during the “Huaguang Festival” on the 28th day of the ninth lunar month.
The museum features exhibitions on:
- Li Wenmao’s uprising based in Foshan
- Kuang Xinhua’s role in founding the Eight Harmony Guild
- Ma Shizeng’s wartime opera troupe
- The daily life of Cantonese opera performers
During Mission Day, you can visit the museum free of charge if you have time.
Taishang Temple & Hongsheng Memorial Hall
Foshan has long been considered a blessed land, where prosperity led to the construction of many temples.
Taishang Temple, built in 1665 during the Qing Dynasty, was originally dedicated to Taoist deity Taishang Laojun. Later, it became a branch of the Hongsheng martial arts hall.
Next to it is the Hongsheng Memorial Hall, connected to Zhang Yan, who founded the Hongsheng Hall during the Xianfeng period. Zhang studied under several masters and helped develop Choy Li Fut, one of the most influential Southern Chinese martial arts styles.
There is a well-known saying:
“In the North, Tai Chi; in the South, Choy Li Fut.”
Hongsheng Hall was one of the earliest Chinese martial arts organizations to expand internationally and remains influential today. It still offers training in Choy Li Fut, Hongsheng boxing, and traditional lion dance.
Beyond martial skill, Hongsheng emphasizes virtue (武德) — teaching discipline, character, and responsibility. Historically, its fighters played a role in resisting foreign challengers during turbulent times, boosting local morale.
Tapo Temple & Tapo Well — Where Foshan Began
Now we arrive at the core question: Why is Foshan called “Foshan”?
Foshan was originally known as Jihua Township. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished across China. In the year 628 (Tang Taizong’s reign), villagers noticed mysterious lights shining at night. Upon digging at the site, they discovered three bronze Buddha statues, along with a stone inscription reading “Buddha of Tapo Temple.”
Believing this to be a sign of sacred blessing, they enshrined the statues and built a temple. From that moment, Jihua Township was renamed Foshan — literally, “Buddha Mountain.”
Although the original statues are no longer there, the site was restored in 2013. Today, new statues have been placed, and the Tapo site is often regarded as the “spiritual origin” of Foshan.
Historical records trace the story even further back. In 398 AD (Eastern Jin Dynasty), a monk from Kashmir named Dhyana Yasha traveled to the region, spreading Buddhist teachings. He established a small hermitage, which later grew into a temple known as Jingtang Temple, also called Tapo Temple.
The Legendary Tapo Well
Next to the temple lies the Tapo Well, a remarkable site with its own legend.
Located at No.1 Jingguo Street, the well dates back to the Tang Dynasty. It is small (about 0.52 meters in diameter), built with brick walls and a granite rim. Despite having no protective railing for centuries, there are no records of accidents.
What makes it extraordinary is its water:
- Always clear and fresh
- Never runs dry
- Warm in winter, cool in summer
- Continues flowing even during droughts
Even today, in 2026, the well still produces water.
In recent years, a traditional Tapo Temple Fair has been revived. One key ritual is the “Water Passing Ceremony,” where locals draw water using bamboo poles and pass it along in copper vessels. Visitors can participate and experience the blessing:
“Wash with Tapo water, and your journey will be smooth.”
More Hidden Layers of the Old City
Along this historic route, scholars have restored many forgotten sites, including:
- Church of the Immaculate Conception (a historic Catholic church)
- Suoyi Street, Jingguo Street, and Xianxiang Street, named after traditional trades — a reminder that Foshan’s economy began with small commodity commerce
Closing Thoughts
This issue is just a brief introduction, but the Tapo district holds centuries of history within its streets and buildings. From a small village to a major modern city, Foshan’s story is embedded in every brick.
Though some structures now show the marks of time, they once defined entire eras and continue to carry the memory of the people who lived through them.
Foshan is often called a blessed land. As you walk through these historic places during Mission Day, we hope you carry a bit of that fortune with you — wherever your journey takes you next.
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