Shunde (顺德), a small city outside of Foshan, itself  a large city outside of the mega-city of Guangzhou, is known throughout southeastern China for its unique (and delicious) take on Cantonese cuisine, its importance to the history and practice of kung fu, and for having one of the best Dragonboat Festivals this side of the Himalayas.

Main attractions include Mt. Taipingshan, an ancient spiritual site topped by the early 10th century Baolin Temple, and Qinghui Garden, considered one of the most beautiful in the Guangzhou region.

History

Located in the middle of the Pearl River Delta between modern-day Guangzhou and Hong Kong, the township of Shunde was founded in the mid-15th century during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as the township of Daliang, later known as Fengcheng.

For centuries, the people of the region practiced their brand of "Southern fist" kung fu, known in Chinese as Nánquán (南拳), perfected the dishes of Double Skin Milk and Water Snake Porridge, and threw Dragonboat Festivals every June.

When modernization hit town during the period of "Reform and Opening" following the following the death of Mao Zedong and the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976 and the subsequent death of Mao Zedong and the end of the Cultural Revolution, Shunde, like many other regions of the Pearl River Delta, turned to manufacturing. But in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Shunde began to emphasize more sustainable and less polluting industries, most notably the cultivation of fruits and flowers.

As a result of the town's relatively limited industrialization, the countryside around Shunde has changed little over the centuries, aside from modern amenities such as nicely paved roads, electricity and the like.

Climate

Shunde's subtropical monsoon climate is temperate and wet, with ample rainfall throughout the year, peaking in the early summer. From September through May, Shunde tends to be drier than late spring and summer, though the region remains quite humid throughout the year.

Green year round, Shunde's average annual temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (72 Fahrenheit) peaks in July at an average of 34 degrees Celsius (92 Fahrenheit) and bottoms out around 18 (65 Fahrenheit) in July. So, should be relatively suitable for travelling in spring, autumn most.

Guangdong travel guide | Shunde guide | Shunde attractions | Shunde flights (via Guangzhou)
Shunde hotels | Guangzhou tours & activities | Shunde on the China Travel Blog

The nearest airport is the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. There is an airport express service that leaves the airport hourly 7AM-6:30PM. The main bus terminal in Shunde is in Daliang District. The Daliang Bus Station has coaches coming in from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hongkong, Dongguan and also from Guangxi, Jiangsi, Hunan, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shanghai and other provinces.