Shunde Food Tour: China’s First UNESCO Food City

Shunde is where Cantonese cuisine was perfected — and in 2014 it became China’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. If you love food, this compact district near Guangzhou is a pilgrimage site.

Why Shunde Matters to Food Lovers

• Birthplace of Cantonese cuisine — the techniques that dominate Chinese restaurants worldwide started here
• Double-skin milk — the famous layered milk custard
• Stir-fried milk — a savory miracle dish you won’t find done properly anywhere else
• Raw fish (yusheng) — the ancestor of Singapore’s yusheng
• Local food street — Huagai Road, where the entire street is restaurants

The Signature Dishes

Double-Skin Milk (Shuangpi Nai)

Silky milk pudding with a double layer of skin — served chilled or fried. Shunde’s most famous dessert.

Stir-Fried Milk

Milk curdled and stir-fried into a creamy, tender dish with shrimp and ham — deceptively simple, impossibly good.

Shunde Raw Fish (Yusheng)

Paper-thin fresh river fish tossed with sesame, ginger and herbs — the original “lo hei” salad.

Milk Hotpot & More

Shunde even does hotpot with milk broth — the local obsession with dairy knows no bounds.

How to Visit Shunde

Shunde is 30-40 minutes from Guangzhou by high-speed rail or car — an easy day trip, though an overnight stay lets you eat dinner AND breakfast like a local. Combine it with Foshan’s martial arts heritage and Guangzhou’s old town for a perfect 3-day food loop.

Pro Tips

• Eat 5-6 small meals across the day (“chi chi”) — that’s the local way
• Go with a guide who knows the time-honored shops
• Visit Qinghui Garden (one of Guangdong’s four great gardens) between meals

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Shunde from Guangzhou?

About 30-40 minutes by high-speed rail or private car — an easy day trip.

What is Shunde famous for?

Food. Shunde is China’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy, known for double-skin milk, stir-fried milk and raw fish.

Is Shunde worth a dedicated trip?

Absolutely — for food lovers it’s a highlight of any Guangdong trip, on par with Guangzhou itself.

What else is there to do in Shunde besides eating?

Qinghui Garden, Shawan Ancient Town, and the Daliang waterfront are worth a stroll between meals.

Can I combine Shunde with Foshan and Guangzhou?

Yes — a 3-day loop covers all three beautifully, and we design it as one seamless private tour.