Just two hours from Hong Kong by high-speed rail lies a culinary destination most Western travelers have never heard of. Shunde, a district of Foshan city in Guangdong Province, offers a gastronomic experience centered around Yusheng — a raw fish dish that's nothing like Japanese sashimi.
A recent trip report on r/travel highlighted why Shunde deserves attention from food-focused travelers looking beyond Beijing and Shanghai.
Getting There Is Easy
The accessibility is part of the appeal. Shunde Station is directly connected via China's high-speed rail network, making it an easy add-on to trips through southern China. One traveler noted: "Make sure you don't buy a ticket to Foshan West Station! There is an option to go directly to Shunde Station, which will save you a lot of time."
From major cities like Guangzhou or Shenzhen, the journey takes under an hour. From Hong Kong, it's roughly two hours — making Shunde more accessible than many better-known Chinese destinations.
The Food: Yusheng
The star attraction is Yusheng, or raw fish. But this isn't sashimi. The fish is sliced incredibly thin — almost translucent — and served with an elaborate spread of colorful condiments: shredded ginger, garlic, scallions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and crispy fried taro.
According to the traveler who recently visited: "You toss it all together with a generous drizzle of pure peanut oil and premium soy sauce. Every bite is a perfect, refreshing explosion of fresh, sweet, crunchy, and savory flavors. It was an unforgettable culinary experience!"
