Shunde, Guangdong

Chinese Name: 顺德 (shùn dé)
Population: 2,704,700
Area: 806.15 square kilometers (311.26 square miles)
Location: in the south of Guangdong Province, south China
Area Code: 757
Zip Code: 528300
GDP (2018): CNY316.4 billion (USD 47.8 billion)

Situated in the south of Guangdong Province, at the core of Pearl River Delta Plain, Shunde is one of the five administrative jurisdictions of Foshan City. It is near to many cities such as Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. Shunde Guangdong has been awarded the gourmet capital of the world by UNESCO in 2014, and enjoys the reputation as the hometown of Chinese chefs. It is also known as China’s Furniture Capital for possessing the largest furniture market over China even around the world.

As Shunde is a paradise for gourmets, there is always the alluring fragrance of food in the streets and alleys. It is necessary to take 2 days to enjoy delicious food, visit the super furniture market, enjoyable parks, quaint gardens and ancient temples in Shunde. The Shunfeng Mountain Park, Fengjian Water Town, Baolin Temple are very popular as well.
 The 600-meter Huagai Road is a famous commercial pedestrian street in Shunde where many authentic snacks and dishes can be found such as the Beef Ball, Milk Custard, and Fried Pork with Longan. The various dim sum dishes served by the teahouses in the morning will make your mouth water.
 Lions are made of colored cloth strips with two people performing together, one acting head and the other tail. The skilled performers jump on quincuncial stakes and make all kinds of difficult actions, which will definitely impress you.
 As the largest furniture market that sells more the 20,000 types of furniture, Lecong Furniture City is a wonderful place to go shopping and visit.
 The Qinghui Garden is famous for elegant buildings and quaint garden. You are able to take stunning pictures everywhere.
 Chuanlord Tourism & Leisure EXPO Park has a great number of entertainment facilities and different theme parks. Visitors also can enjoy the animals’ performances and get in touch with them in the animal world inside the park.The best time to visit Shunde is March, April, November and December when the rainy days are less and the temperatures are enjoyable. Shunde has a mild climate and abundant rainfall. It's like spring all year round with an average annual temperature of 23C(73F). Rainstorms and typhoons often happen from June to September so it is better to avoid visiting at that time.

Visitors can take a flight to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and then take shuttle buses to Shunde. The operation hours of shuttle buses are from 7:30 to 1:30 the next day. Every 30 minutes a shuttle bus is available and it takes 80 minutes to Shunde. It is easy to access by taking intercity high-speed trains in the Guangzhou South Railway Station in 10 minutes. Besides, visitor can take coaches from Guangzhou Province Bus Passenger Terminal, Fangcun Bus Passenger Terminal and East Bus Station to Shunde, taking about 1 hour.

 See more: Guangzhou Bus Stations

The metro is available in Shunde as three stations of Foshan Metro Line 1 are set. The buses are very convenient too. It charges CNY10 for the first 2.5 km of Shunde taxi and CNY2.8/ km for subsequent distance. The intercity high-speed trains are the main transportations for local people to get to other cities like Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.

The best Shunde foods to try are Soup Rice, Milk Custard, Beef and Mutton Offal Soup, Roasted Goose, Steamed Vermicelli Roll, Lunjiao Cake.
  Mike Custard
Jingang Mike Shop(金榜牛奶店): Jiazi Road, Daliang Street
Huanji Jinbang Mike(欢记金榜牛乳): No.19, Upper Jinbang Steet

 Clay Pot Rice
Hongxingguangfa Clay Pot Rice (红星光发煲仔饭): No.40, Dashi Street, Zhulin Road, Rongguiwai Village
Niuzhan Noodle Bar (牛展面食店): North Xingui Road, Daliang Street
Beef Offal Soup
Ximei Beef Offal(细妹牛杂): Shop 3, Xinfa Building, Huagailizhijie, Daliang Street

 Roasted Goose
Huanglian Datouhua Roasted Goose (黄连大头华烧鹅): A No.2 Building, No.1 Fengchengshidu Street, Binhe Road

 Steamed Vermicelli Roll
Xiaopo Steamed Vermicelli Roll (肖婆肠粉): No.63 Ronggui Street

 Lunjiao Cake
Huanjie Lunjiao Cake(欢姐伦教糕): No.45-47, Guolan Road, Daliang Street

Further Reading: Gourmet Paradise: 10 Tourist Cities in China for Food Lovers