SHIJUN ART JOURNEY: foshan

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Gardens and Buildings of Southern China

Zumiao Temple, a richly ornamental building, in the southern province of Guangdong, China. The original buildings of the temple were burnt down in the late Yuan Dynasty and reconstructed in the fifth year of Hongwu Period, Ming Dynasty (1372). Owing to its long history, Chinese called it Zumiao temple.

Zumiao Temple is an example of the famous foundry and potting handicraft industry in Foshan history. The refinement and beauty of its architecture reflected of the prosperity of ancient Foshan.

Pottery Dragon at the Zumiao Temple.

Fabulous wood craft figurines and design at Zumiao Temple.

Big ridge ceramic figurative tiles. Blue green glazed ceramic tiles represent the rich flavor of traditional Chinese culture.

Ceramic roof tiles and wood carvings below date from the Qing and Ming dynasties about 350 years ago. The original temple was built in the Song dynasty circa 1050 AD.

Ceramic dragon and lion roof tiles. The green tiles below are peonies, a lucky flower in China used in the Qing and Ming dynastic periods.

Inner courtyard of the Zumiao Temple with more amazing tile work and carvings.

More rich wood carvings of the Phoenix and peonies on the temple

Stone carvings at the Zumiao temple.

A beautiful garden view from a carved stone archway.

An ancient village in Gaoming region, Guangdong province, China.

Carved limestone of orchids below and the Chinese symbol for long life above. Date from Qing dynasty about 300 years ago.

View of an ancient temple from under an ancient banyan tree in Gaoming.

Ancient building in Gaoming

Ancient buildings in Gaoming

The old gate and road into an old village.

Gate in the village, about 350 years old.

Liangyuan gardens in Foshan, China. Built around 1800.

Liangyuan garden is a perfect space for poetry and traditional Chinese brush painting.

Chinese calligraphy and painting in the Liangyuan garden.

Koi pond garden at the home of a friend in Foshan, Guangdong, China

Another koi pond garden at the home of a friend in Foshan, Guangdong, China

Koi pond

Green glazed tiles, bamboo and koi are always symbols of a traditional Chinese garden.

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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Foshan, Guangdong China 2012

I was born in China, in the city of Foshan. Up until the 2003 I lived there with my family before coming to American. Foshan, also called "Zen", has a long history of over 1300 years; she gained her present name when local villagers dug out of Tapogang mound, 3 bronze Buddha statues left by Indian monks. Foshan is a famous historical and cultural city, known as one of the "four renowned towns" from olden times in China. She is a place full of colorful, fantastic forms, textures and buildings.

Foshan Ancestor Temple with a long history can be traced back the North Song Dynasty(1078-1085). It is one of the main cultural relics of Guangdong province as well as one of the most famous tourist sites in Guangdong.

Zumiao Temple is an example of the famous foundry and potting handicraft industry in Foshan history. The refinement and beauty of its architecture reflected of the prosperity of ancient Foshan. Indeed, it is a precious historical heritage of Foshan. Therefore, Ancestor Temple is granted the reputation of "Oriental Art's Palace" by visiting foreign friends.

It is dedicated to Beidi (Northern Emperor), the Northern God, who is said to have power over the waters of Guangdong, so the temple also known as "Northern Emperor Temple". It is the first temple in Foshan.

Zumiao Temple

Zumiao Temple prayer writings

The original buildings of the temple were burnt down in the late Yuan Dynasty and reconstructed in the fifth year of Hongwu Period, Ming Dynasty (1372). Owing to its long history, Chinese called it Zumiao temple.

Zumiao Temple lucky tree

Zumiao Temple carved stone garden

Zumiao Temple with wonderful old bonsai

Zumiao Temple, every building is like a piece of ancient artwork.

Zumiao Temple with many amazing stone carvings on the Torii gate.

Zumiao Temple

Zumiao Temple, toss a coin for good fortune. Turtles represent long life.

Another old garden in Foshan called Liang Garden with painted pillars and carved beams of a magnificent building,

Liang Garden

Liang Garden, a wonderful carved stone bench

My father's ancestral village, Longchuan, Guangdong Provence. There is a sense of tranquility in this old village, it is just like the Oriental Ink Painting, possessing a beauty that transcends time.