Fenjiang Bei Lu forms the western boundary of the old town, running south for about 2km from the train station , over a canal, past the long-distance bus station and through to where the highrises, which constitute Foshan's business centre, cluster around a broad roundabout. Minibuses deposit you either outside the train station, or just west of the roundabout on Chengmentou Lu. From the latter, walk 50m east and you're at the bottom end of Zumiao Lu, five minutes from the Ancestral Temple. To reach Zumiao Lu from the stations, head down Fenjiang Bei Lu for about 700m, then east along tree-lined Qinren Lu. A couple of minutes brings you to the Bank of China (Mon-Fri 9-11.30am & 1-5pm), with Lianhua Lu straight ahead, and Zumiao Lu running south.

Foshan's accommodation prospects include the swish Huaqiao Dasha (tel 0757/2223828, fax 2227702; ¥300-500), across from Renshou Si on Zumiao Lu; and the rather more average Pearl River Hotel (tel 0757/2221624, fax 2292263; ¥200-300) and Revolving Palace Hotel (tel /fax 0757/2285622; ¥200-300), opposite each other at the north end of Zumiao Lu. All have restaurants and bars, with Western-style fast-food outlets scattered through the center.