Shunde Old Town: A Slow-Down Tour

🍲 Shunde Travelogue | A Cantonese Paradise Hidden Amidst the Bustling Scenery 🇨🇳 Some say, "Eat in Guangzhou, savor in Shunde." This trip to Shunde made me deeply appreciate the meaning of this saying. Free from the hustle and bustle of big cities, it embodies the richest human touch and purest Cantonese flavor. Shunde is a place where flavor captivates travelers. ⸻ 🏮 Slow Tour of the Old Town · Experience the Charm of Lingnan On my first day, I chose to start in Daliang Old Town. It retains the most authentic Lingnan charm, with arcades, narrow alleys, and time-honored shops, each brimming with the flavor of life. Wandering through Fengjian Water Village, with its bluestone streets lined with ancient dwellings, crisscrossing waterways, and small boats crisscrossing, it feels like stepping back in time to Guangdong decades ago. I recommend visiting in the evening, when the lights reflected on the water create a tranquil and romantic beauty.✨ ⸻ 🍜 Authentic Shunde Flavors · Every Meal, a Surprise A trip to Shunde without enjoying the delicious food is a complete waste! • The double-skin milk tea at Fengcheng Hotel is incredibly smooth and creamy; • Huaji Pork Porridge is both heartwarming and comforting, leaving you with a sense of bliss with every bite; • Chencun Rice Noodles is the heart of this place, paper-thin yet springy and smooth; • Don't miss the Jun'an Steamed Pork and Lunjiao Cake; they're sweet but not greasy, and bursting with flavor! That evening, I headed to a late-night snack stall near Shunfengshan Park. Enjoying grilled oysters, stir-fried beef noodles, and beer in the evening breeze—this is authentic Lingnan nightlife. 🍻 ⸻ 🎨 Culture and Charm · A Clash of Tradition and Modernity The next day, I visited Qinghui Garden, a representative example of Lingnan architecture, with pavilions, towers, waterside terraces, and rockery all imbued with classical beauty. The photos are beyond amazing 📸, especially in the soft morning light. In the afternoon, I visited the Shunde Museum in Lunjiao, Shunde. While the exhibition halls are small, they offer a glimpse into Shunde's rich folk customs and the evolution of its culinary culture. If you have more time, you can also stop by Foshan Ancestral Temple or Lingnan Tiandi to experience the broader cultural atmosphere of the Pearl River Delta. ⸻ ☕ A Slow-Pace Small Town · More Than Just Food Shunde's slow pace is perfect for relaxing. I love to find an old teahouse near Daliang Pedestrian Street in the afternoon, order a pot of Pu'er tea and a basket of shrimp dumplings, and watch the elderly chat leisurely, the air filled with the fragrance of life. In the evening, stroll along the Desheng River, with the gentle breeze and the twinkling streetlights—these ordinary little pleasures make it hard to leave. ⸻ 💡 Travel Tips: • 🚗 It's about an hour's drive from Guangzhou or Foshan, and self-driving is most convenient. • 🍴 Must-try dishes: Chencun rice noodle, double-skin milk, pork offal porridge, sauna chicken, Lunjiao cake. • 📸 Great photo spots: Fengjian Water Village, Qinghui Garden, Shunfengshan Park. • 🕐 Best time to visit: October to March, for comfortable weather and freshest produce. • 🏨 Recommended accommodations: Hotels near Daliang or Longjiang Town, offering convenient transportation and a concentration of restaurants. ⸻ Shunde isn't a city for "check-ins," but a city for "reminiscing." It lacks dazzling neon lights, but instead embraces the most authentic flavors. Every dish and every alley holds a story of Lingnan. When in Shunde, don't rush; just enjoy your time, eat and walk. You'll fall in love with this place. 💖