Trip Moments Recommendations
#Shamian Island Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
In Guangzhou!!! Please don't miss Shamian in the afternoon!!
Shamian Island is located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. It is a tourist attraction that combines food, architecture, and natural scenery.
1. Transportation:
* Metro: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 6 or Line 2, get off at Huangsha Station, and walk for about 10 minutes from Exit F to reach the west end of Shamian Island.
* Bus: You can take bus routes 208, 57, 102, 106, 217, etc., get off at Liu Er San Road Station and walk for about 5 minutes to reach Shamian Island.
* Self-driving: Tourists who drive by themselves can park their vehicles in nearby parking lots, such as the parking lot near the White Swan Hotel.
2. Tour route:
* Before going to the island: Before going to Shamian Island, you can first taste some authentic Guangzhou food in Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, such as the shrimp emperor of Guangzhou Restaurant, the double skin milk and mango pomelo sago of Nanxin Milk Dessert Expert, etc.
* Entering Shamian Island: You can take a ferry to Shamian Island from Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, which takes about 20 minutes. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pearl River during the boat ride.
* Food and attractions: After entering Shamian Island, you can first taste the local food, the most famous of which may be beef brisket lo mein and rice noodle rolls. Recommended stores are Wu Caiji Noodles and Baosheng Dessert. In addition, the European-style buildings on the island are also a major attraction, such as the White Swan Yutangchun and Taoranxuan.
* Afternoon time: After enjoying the food, you can start exploring other attractions on the island, such as the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
* Dinner and night view: Before leaving Shamian Island, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant on the island. It is recommended to have dinner at Shiying Bowl Shark's Fin, where the bowl shark's fin is made with ingredients such as shredded chicken, mushrooms, shredded shrimp, and shredded egg, which is delicious. After dinner, you can enjoy the night view of Guangzhou near the Canton Tower.
* Return trip: After enjoying the night view, you can take a ferry back to downtown Guangzhou to end the day's journey.
3. Precautions:
* Safety: Pay attention to personal safety and property safety, and abide by local laws and regulations and tourism regulations.
* Environmental protection: Protect the environment, do not litter at will, and do not damage natural landscapes and cultural relics.
* Itinerary arrangement: You can arrange your itinerary according to your own situation and time, reserve enough time to visit each attraction, and avoid too tight schedule.
* Dining: You can taste local food, but you should pay attention to food hygiene and safety.
* Traffic: You should understand the traffic conditions in advance, try to avoid peak hours and congested sections, and choose the appropriate transportation and route.
* Tickets: Some attractions may require the purchase of tickets or reservation of visit time, and you should understand and prepare in advance.
* Guide: If you are not very familiar with the history and culture of Shamian Island, you can hire a professional guide for explanation and guidance.
My friends thought I had gone abroad, but I am in Guangzhou
Guangzhou, Shamian Island.
It is a sandbar formed by the Pearl River, hence the name Shamian. In the early days, Shamian was an important port in Guangzhou. After a hundred years, more than a dozen countries have set up consulates on Shamian, nine foreign banks, more than forty foreign companies operated on Shamian, and the Guangdong Customs Club, Guangzhou Club and others were established on Shamian. With the changes in modern history, Shamian has become a microcosm of China's modern history and the history of concessions. The European-style buildings on Shamian Island have formed a unique open-air architectural 'museum'.
Surrounded by ancient trees, shaded by green trees, and fragrant with flowers🌸The sun jumps between the leaves, and from time to time you can hear the birds singing🕊Wandering among these colorful ancient buildings🏰Everywhere is beautiful scenery, free and comfortable, lazy and casual.
Every day there are many photography enthusiasts to check in📸Literary and artistic small shops, coffee shops☕️, French restaurants🍽Guangzhou is in a hurry, Shamian is leisurely. Feel the unique Cantonese romance!💕
A historical European oasis in Guangzhou
Shamian Island is my favourite place in Guangzhou and it was my safe haven during my 6 months living there, it was an oasis of calm in such a chaotic city. The Island was divided into concessions given to France and the UK in the 19th century and foreigners lived and worked on the island to help support the export of Chinese products. The island is separated from the mainland by a small river and this created a self contained zone that allowed western nations to establish trade missions without ‘being present’ on the mainland. Ultimately America, France, Holland, Italy, Germany, Portugal, japan and the UK had a presence on the island in big stone mansions along the water.
The buildings now house cafes, restaurants and shops and has become a surreal tourist destination, the buildings lining the street were built in the style of their respective western powers so it feels like you could be in Paris, London or Amsterdam. The buildings are grand and imposing as each nation tried to outdo the other with their architectural styles, leaving tree lined boulevards lined with buildings that stand out against the Chinese city that has developed around them.
You can reach the island via the Huangsha metro station and then walking over an overpass, also many bus routes have stops just outside the bridge that links the island to greater Guangzhou.
I’d really recommend this to anyone living in or visiting Guangzhou who is overwhelmed by the sheer scale and pace of the city, I used to love taking a book or my laptop to the Starbucks and just enjoying the peace.
#timetotravel #trip #guangzhou #Europe #chinatravel #history
Historic Signifance of Shamian Island
Shamian Island is a former 19th century Franco-British concession now a peaceful historic district of Guangzhou..The island name's literally means sandy surface..There is a lot of European architecture and building on this island and there is a lot of historical site to snap an instagramable 📸 photo..Not to worry about food and drinks as there is plenty of nice and good restaurants in the island..Is definitely a must visit attraction in Guangzhou..
Address - Shamiandao Island, Liwan Distrcit, Guangzhou
Ambiance/Facilities - Historical
Highlights - Island Scenery
Avg. Price per Person - Free
Rating - 4.8 out of 5
TIPS: During weekends is full of people and crowded..Suggest to visit during weekdays..
#mytripvlog#awesomepic#tripblazers#historical
Shamian Island in GZ
Shamian Island is a must see attraction in Guangzhou. It features lots of old and European style buildings. The place has a nice view of the river and you can indulge in many different cuisines in restaurants/bars in this scenic area. #travel #expat #guangzhou
Another beautiful island of China
To visit this island, just go to Guangzhou. The island is small, it is connected by a small bridge. You can take a taxi from the city and drive to it. We can say that the whole island is a cultural attraction. There are more than 150 European-style buildings: banks, churches, schools, embassies. Many Chinese people come here to take wedding photos. If you just want to walk, you only need one hour. But it is more interesting to walk and feel the atmosphere of this place, take photos, drink coffee in a beautiful place. Then you will feel the atmosphere of this place. There is no loud music, very quiet and calm. There are no big shops from which sellers shout.
#island
#urbanexplorer#summervacation#cafe#awesomepic
urbanexplorer
summervacation
Walking through a European town in China
We walked from the Sacred Heart Cathedral down to the riverside, then walked along the river looking at the historic buildings until we reached Shamian Island. There are many statues around Shamian that depict old style Chinese natives and old generations of foreigners that lived, worked and traded here. The architecture of the buildings is very interesting and many look like old style buildings that can be found in European cities like London. There is a european style Catholic church in the middle of Shamian main street which is small but picturesque. There are many places to sit and rest or cafes and restaurants to eat at dotted around. Even the trees in Shamian are beautiful and covered with green moss.
#grouptravel #guangzhou #historicculture #passionpassport
Feels like in the a movie 🎥
❗️It’s called an island because it’s surrounded by rivers. It’s a small stylish area for taking photos, walking around and enjoying evening tea or morning coffee.
🚇 Around 5 minutes walk from Huangsha subway station (line 1 and 6).
🛍 There are many shopping malls nearby but not in the island.
🍝 Restaurants are not too many but you will find something to eat for sure. There are many coffees in the island and some hotels as well.
🕑 I usually spend around 3-4 hours to walk around, eat ice cream and enjoy music.
📸 @_ana_mee_ on Instagram
#solotravel #guangzhou #chinalife #urbanexplorer
A stroll and late lunch on Shamian Island
Shamian island is a spectacular little area to explore with its quaint coffee shops, restaurants and plenty of historical buildings. Strolling through the area does have one feeling as thriugh you've been shuttled through time. #timetravel
We had a lovely dining experience at ”The Orient Express” which not only had a spectacular menu but a terrific wine selection. The restaurant itself is a dining cart of an old train which makes for a rather cozy atmosphere.
It was a really relaxed day of strolling and dining and I'm very much looking forward to heading back there. I spent so much time enjoying my surroundings that I barely took any pictures.
Welcome to Shamian Island - Guangzhou
Shamian Island is a small island on the Pearl River, located in Liwan District of Guangzhou.
You can go there and enjoy European style architecture as once the island was used as a consular area in the past.
Definitely a most see place in Guangzhou! Where you can enjoy not only the architecture, but also please yourself in one of the many restaurants.
Once you cross the bridge and step on the island it feels like you are in another world, a world where you can relax and enjoy your time away from the outside noise and everyday rush.
In my opinion the most majestic building on the island is the mint blue Starbucks building!
#china #chinatravel #awesomepic #guangzhou #guangzhoutravel #guangzhoucity #shamian #shamianisland
Shamian Island 沙面島
Discover an area in Guangzhou filled with 19 century European construction. A walking museum. This place is worth a visit if you're interested to soak up some Western culture for an afternoon walk. Easy access short walk from Husngsha Subway.
#shamianisland #本地遊
Starbucks Coffee@Shamian Island
Address - 50-52, Shamian Ave, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510130, China.
Highlights - Coffee 😄
Avg. Price per Person - RMB 20~30(for coffee break)
Rating - 4.0/5
A place suitable for coffee break and rest after walking around Shamian Island; interior is nice for Vloggers or Bloggers to take short clips or photos too.
#shamian #guangzhoutravel #china #travelwithgeo #thisischina #travelphotography #coffeeshop
Shamian Island
When we talk about Guangzhou, one of the must see place is Shamian Island. Located next to Cultural Park metro station, this place can offer you many things. Two catholic churches, small park, many old historic buildings, nice riverview, restaurants, statues, tennis courts and etc.
Shamian is a sandbank island. The island's name literally means "sandy surface" in Chinese. Shamian Island was an important port for Guangzhou's foreign trade from the Song to the Qing dynasty. The island covers an area of 0.3 km², 900 m from east to west, and 300 m from north to south.
#guangzhou #shamian #island #china #historicculture
walking at shamian island
#lightthecity
One-day tour route in Guangzhou:
🌟Morning: Shamian. Shamian is an important commercial port in Guangzhou. After a hundred years, more than ten countries have set up consulates in Shamian. Shamian is similar to the Bund in Shanghai. You can see various European-style buildings. Recommended Starbucks and McDonald's, feel the collision of modernity and history.
🌟Afternoon:Yong Qing Fang,This is an old street full of literature and art in Guangzhou. It not only retains the historical flavor of Guangzhou, but also incorporates new architectural concepts. There are many literary and artistic shops to visit. You can go to Bruce Lee’s ancestral residence and Zhan Tianyou’s former residence. In the nearby park, you can also see the aunts performing Cantonese opera, full of literary and artistic atmosphere.
🌟Night:Canton Tower
It is the second tallest tower in China and a landmark building in Guangzhou. Be sure to go to Guangzhou Tower South Plaza to take pictures, you can take a panoramic view of the Canton Tower. There are many internet celebrity bars and restaurants nearby, where you can eat dinner.
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
#lightthecity
Shamian island, 沙面岛。Guangzhou. This island is very important historical place. Earlier, there were located all foreign trade confessions and office buildings, because at that time foreign merchants were not allowed to step into Canton land as well as other places in China. Further, it became the place of foreign consulate and embassies. All this beautiful buildings representing European architectural style are the consulates and embassies.
Well, it was pretty interesting to take a walk and look at them. The place has its own charm.
#holidayvacation#wintergetaway#staycation#tripinspired
holidayvacation
wintergetaway
#tripaway
One of the remnants of foreign rule in the region, Shamian Islands still maintains the old world charm with buildings modeled in that era. A popular place for wedding photography, it has many lovely sculptures and churches to spend a calm evening. It has a small children's park and lake front areas too. Lucy Restaurant nearby has good food options.
#tripaway
Punch Guangzhou European-style building|Open-air "Museum" [Sand surface]
Address: No. 2-3, Shah Nai South Street, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China/Hh/ Time: All day
Introduction: As the earliest open port city in China, Guangzhou has brought about cultural integration because of its openness, and this exotic island has been fortunately preserved as a building. This Chinese-Western style building has made the sand surface an existing open-air architecture museum in Guangzhou, and instantly returns to the 19th century European town.
[Formerly the former site of HSBC]
Located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Shamian Street and Shamian Street, the classical mountain door built by gray granite, the tall round window, short stay, Time goes back to Dunlun in the 19th century.
[Lude Catholic Church of Our Lady]
The church of the French Consulate was established. The small spires of the four corners are surrounded by various Chinese elements and it feels wonderful.
[The former site of Guangdong Customs]
commonly known as the Great Bell Tower, it is one of the representative works of modern neoclassical architecture in Guangzhou in modern times. Although it has withdrawn from the stage of history, it has contributed to the development of Guangdong's foreign trade.
[Periphery]
In addition to the sand, there are many cafes, restaurants, and consulates and museums in various countries, and the rich colors give the buildings here. Unique appearance, especially suitable for taking pictures ~
Photo Guide:
1 Through the sunlight through the shade of the shade, interact with the building, there will be a good picture!
2The shooting building can also adopt the combination of motion and static, pre-select the angle in advance, the characters move in the picture, adopt the continuous shooting mode, and finally the one that is perfect in composition is preferred.
3You can also take advantage of the structure of the building to take pictures of depth and symmetry.
Shamian island the European Vibes in GZ!
Guangzhou is a vibrant city, with most well known Canton Tower, the top tourist spot. But who know's there is a place called Shamian, whereby it's another tourist spot for leisure, photo shooting, tik-tokers making contents, cafe hopping, and historical studies. All buildings here are made last time for French and Bristish Concessions, and there is one 5 star hotel and other small boutique hotels.
The weekend is coming fast! Guangzhou's Shamian is bursting with greenery, and a springtime painting awaits your flirtation!
The moment you step onto Shamian in Guangzhou during the weekend, it's as if you've entered a verdant fairyland. The sunlight is dappled, casting its gentle touch on the soft grass, with every green leaf shimmering with vitality and life.
Strolling along the path, you feel the tender caress of the spring breeze on your face, admiring the splendid beauty of blooming flowers on both sides. The ancient buildings, set against the backdrop of green trees, appear even more solemn and elegant, as if narrating the vicissitudes and glory of history. Here, I've felt the tranquility and harmony of nature, as well as the profoundness of history and the richness of culture.
Guangzhou's Shamian, a green paradise that makes one linger and forget to return, is worth a visit by everyone to experience this unique beauty and peace.
Wow, the bougainvillea tree hole in Guangzhou is so beautiful
Many people's impression of Guangzhou is only that of a food paradise😏, and I have always thought the same🤔. It wasn't until this impromptu trip to Guangzhou🚶 that I discovered the charm of Guangzhou is more than that... The retro European architectural features👀, traditional Lingnan characteristics😃, as well as modern and international style buildings🏙, have all made me deeply fascinated by this city😍.
✅Transportation
🚄High-speed rail: Guangzhou Station/Guangzhou East/Guangzhou South Station, all close to the main attractions😎.
✈️Plane: Baiyun Airport, with subway access to downtown Guangzhou after landing🤩.
✅Food Recommendations
Supreme Trio Mix River Noodles, Fresh Beef Lo Bamboo Noodles, Fish-flavored Eggplant Pot, Delicious Squid Tubes, Sauerkraut Intestines, Signature Preserved Meat Claypot Rice, Drunken Goose Feet, Scallion Oil Chicken, Strawberry Sweet and Sour Pork🤤.
✅3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary
Day1: Poly Sports Stadium to check in the bougainvillea🌸 - Haizhu National Wetland Park - Nansha Yacht Club🚢.
Day2: Yongle Square - Shamian Island - Lanpu🌾.
Day3: Bao Mo Garden - Canton Tower - Haixinsha - Beijing Road🛣.
✅Recommended Attractions
📍Canton Tower
Huacheng Square and Hongcheng Park offer niche spots to take photos with the Canton Tower📷, no need to squeeze with the crowd at the base of the tower👫.
📍Dafo Temple & Beijing Road
Dafo Temple lights up with an atmosphere reminiscent of 'Spirited Away'🎇! After visiting, there are delicious snacks on the nearby Beijing Road🍡.
📍Yongqing Square
This is my favorite place, the old Xiguan of Guangzhou, where tradition meets modernity💥, and history intertwines with reality🎗. I love the atmosphere here, it's very artistic, and it feels comfortable to walk and feel slowly😌.
📍Shamian Island
Stepping into Shamian Island, there's a sudden sense of tranquility and comfort😄, just like a small European town, full of exotic charm, showcasing the 19th-century British and French concession European style🤩. There are many unique cafes here☕.
📍Bao Mo Garden
A hidden 'treasure' garden in Guangzhou🎁, it's like entering a peaceful world full of cultural atmosphere. Every brick and tile, every leaf and flower here seems to tell an ancient story📚.
📍Haizhu Wetland Park
The true 'green heart' of Guangzhou👍. Interwoven waterways, swaying trees, fragrant fruits, blending the bustling city with natural ecological beauty🎄, featuring the unique characteristics of a delta city's lakes and river wetlands, it is an important migratory path for birds, the birthplace of Lingnan fruits, and a gathering area for Lingnan folk culture🎊.
Shamian has a surreal feeling of being abroad
Shamian, once known as Shuicui Island💫
is a sandbank formed by the siltation of the Pearl River⭐️
Hence the name Shamian 🌎
•
⛰️Attraction Introduction:
Shamian is located in the southwest of Guangzhou city center
It faces the White Swan Pond to the south and is separated from Shaji Chong to the north
It is a small island opposite to Road 623
There are eight streets and alleys of various sizes, covering an area of 0.3 square kilometers
During the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties,
Shamian was an important trade and sightseeing spot both domestically and internationally
After the Opium War, from the eleventh year of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty (1861),
it fell into a concession of Britain and France👬👬
•
📖Travel Strategy:
You can spend half a day to a day on Shamian Island⏰
Visiting and playing on this small island~
There are many buildings full of history on the island🏠
which have become a microcosm of China's modern history and the history of concessions
The European-style buildings on the island also form a unique open-air architectural 'museum'
•
📍Must-visit spots:
The greening on Shamian Island is really good🌲🌲
There are more than 150 ancient trees, so the air is super fresh~
The environmental sanitation is excellent, it can be called Guangzhou's paradise🌸
There are museums, former bank sites, European architectural complexes, and galleries, etc.
There are also many atmospheric cafes, casual photos are like paintings🏙
•
✈️Travel TIPS:
Shamian Island is perfect for a City walk🚶🚶
Taking photos in this atmosphere is super cinematic📷 ✨
You can wear beautiful clothes and comfortable shoes🥿
But walking through every street can be quite tiring haha~
Coming here, one can't help but slow down and calm down
When it's less crowded, just sit on the island, space out, gap for a while
Looking at the greenery, breathing the clean air, taking some photos
Such a life is really too comfortable, too enjoyable❗️❗️
Guangzhou - Shamian Island
Guangzhou Shamian Island is really super photogenic! No need for editing to get great photos.
We arrived in the afternoon, and our route was as follows:
1️⃣ Sacred Heart Cathedral
2️⃣ Shamian Island
3️⃣ Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (not recommended)
4️⃣ Canton Tower
We got off at Guangzhou South Station, took the subway to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, then scanned a QR code to bike to Shamian Island and the pedestrian street, and finally took the subway to the Canton Tower.
Points to note ⚠️
1️⃣ Most of the clothes mentioned online are wholesale, and it's not cheap to buy single pieces.
2️⃣ Accommodation is a bit hard to find or otherwise expensive. It's not recommended to stay near the pedestrian street; it's an old street with few people and doesn't feel safe.
3️⃣ Shamian Island is very photogenic! Just walk along the riverbank and you'll get there. Going in the evening when the lights are on but it's not yet dark is really beautiful, and there are many coffee shops in that area.
4️⃣ Sacred Heart Cathedral closes at 5 pm, and there are many photographers outside charging for photoshoots.
5️⃣ The Canton Tower is a bit difficult to photograph 😂 I personally think, there's a fountain show after 8 pm.
6️⃣ Scanning for bikes, I didn't see any e-bikes, only pedal bikes. Drivers generally don't yield to pedestrians, everyone seems to be in a hurry, and traffic lights are not very useful, so be sure to pay attention to safety!
The 'Bund of Guangzhou' by the Pearl River, the 'Ten-Mile Foreign Concession' Island·Guangzhou
Shamian, once known as Shicui Zhou, is a sandbank formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River, hence the name Shamian. Although it covers an area of only 0.3 square kilometers, it has been an important domestic and international trade hub during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. After the Opium Wars, in the eleventh year of the reign of Emperor Xianfeng of the Qing dynasty, it fell into the hands of the British and French as a concession.
Shamian Island is surrounded by water on all sides, with lush ancient trees, and now retains a large number of European-style and Sino-Western style buildings, forming a unique open-air European architectural 'museum'. It is known as the 'Ten-Mile Foreign Concession' of Guangzhou and is also acclaimed as the 'Bund of Guangzhou'.
The first Sino-foreign joint venture five-star hotel in China, the White Swan Hotel, is also located on Shamian Island, and the Cantonese morning tea here is very famous!
Visit five popular attractions in one day
For friends who are short on time, you can explore five popular attractions in one day with the Citywalk route✨-
🚶Citywalk route: Sacred Heart Cathedral ➡️ Chen Clan Ancestral Hall ➡️ Shamian Island ➡️ Yongqing Fang ➡️ Dafo Temple -💒Attraction summary➊Sacred Heart Cathedral: One of the most magnificent twin-spired Gothic buildings in China. When the weather is good, the sunlight shining on the colored windows inside the cathedral is simply too beautiful.➋Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: One of the largest existing traditional Cantonese architectural structures, hailed as the 'Pearl of Lingnan architecture', the most luxurious decorations and the most exquisite craftsmanship are often embodied here!➌Shamian Island: Mostly a microcosm of China's modern history and the history of the concessions, the buildings are quite special, with many coffee and snack shops, hin suitable for afternoon tea and photo check-ins.➍Yongqing Fang: 'Seems like the moon in the sky, but it's a bridge on earth', the Moon Bridge is located in the Cantonese Opera Museum, which does not require an entrance ticket. The lights are turned on around 7 pm every evening, and after enjoying the Moon Bridge, you can also appreciate a traditional Cantonese opera performance.➎Dafo Temple: Suitable for visiting at night, a real-life Spirited Away. On the bustling Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, there is a sense of great seclusion amidst the hustle and bustle.
Spring is romantic
The Spring Festival is drawing to a close, marking the beginning of the seasons. There are clouds in the sky, fog in the woods, and spring among the people.
From Baiyun Mountain to Yuexiu Park, Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Liwan Lake Park, Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, and even to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Taigucang, and the Canton Tower's Xiaoman Waist at Haixinsha, not to mention the popular photo spot Shamian, Dongshankou, and the streets of Yongqingfang, there is not a single wasted flyer. It's truly nice, a joyful Guangzhou trip.
At this time, the spring breeze arrives as promised, warming every blooming corner. Keep the passion, look forward to the future. Live up to every day the sun rises, and cherish every bloom around.
Spring lingers, the spring sun is warm and cheerful. Only those who have seen flowers bloom can understand the romance of spring...
People from Guangzhou have a special sentiment for 'Shamian'
Shamian, once known as Shicuizhou, is named for being a sandbank formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River, covering an area of 0.3 square kilometers.
Shamian is an important commercial port in Guangzhou. After a century of development, more than ten countries have set up consulates on Shamian, with nine foreign banks and over forty foreign firms operating there. The Canton Customs House, Guangzhou Club, and other institutions were also established on Shamian. Shamian has witnessed the changes in the modern history of Guangzhou, preserving the footprints of great figures such as Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Premier Zhou Enlai. It has become a microcosm of China's modern history and the history of the concessions. The island of Shamian is adorned with European-style architecture, forming a unique open-air architectural 'museum'.
There are over 150 European-style buildings on Shamian Island, among which 42 are particularly notable for their distinctive Baroque, Gothic, Arcade, Neoclassical, and Sino-Western styles, making it the most exotic European architectural complex in Guangzhou.
The main attractions of Shamian include: ① Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church; ② Guangdong Foreign Affairs Museum; ③ Shamian Church; ④ Customs House; ⑤ British Ice Factory; ⑥ HSBC Bank; ⑦ Soviet Consulate. Of course, there are many more characteristic buildings that cannot be listed one by one. It's up to everyone to go and see, and perhaps you will find your own favorites.
Shamian | It's not that Europe is unaffordable, it's just that Guangzhou offers better value for money!
| It's not that Europe is unaffordable, it's just that Guangzhou offers better value for money!. Shamian in Guangzhou is located within the Pearl River, and its unique European architectural complex gives it a strong exotic atmosphere⛩🏛🎭, making it a top choice for many tourists👫👩👩👦💕 and photography enthusiasts📷🎞🖼.
📍Entrance: West side of Shamian Island🚪
🚇Subway Line 1/6 Huangsha Station Exit F🚉
📍Exit: East side of Shamian Island🕊
🚇Subway Line 6/8 Cultural Park Station Exit E🌸
🎫Ticket: Free🆓
⌚Play Time: 2 hours⏳
1⃣Shamian Church💒: A well-preserved century-old Christian church in Guangzhou⛪, a blend of Chinese and Western styles🏮💒, the main hall has been rated as a national A-level key protected cultural relic🎖🏛📜.
2⃣Former Site of the Soviet Consulate🏭: The building walls are decorated with fair-faced red bricks, hence the beautiful nickname 'Western Red Building' on Shamian🏩.
3⃣Former Site of the British Hospital🏥: The British Hospital was not for profit, and during the lease period, residents on Shamian could receive medical treatment on the island🌡💊👩⚕.
4⃣Former Customs House🏨: Designed and built by the Australian architect Parnell. As its main color is red, different from the Soviet Consulate, it is thus called the 'Eastern Red Building'🏣.
5⃣Lourdes Catholic Church⛪: The church's architectural style is consistent with European churches, with small spires, clerestory windows, and battlements, arched doors, very exquisite🌟💫✨.
Checked in at Shamian Island in Guangzhou
Located on the southern bank of the Pearl River's White Swan Pond in Guangzhou, Shamian Island is a small island with many exotic historical buildings, perfectly preserving the European style of the 19th century British and French concessions. It was also an important trading port in Guangzhou in the past. The island also carries a microcosm of China's modern history and the history of the concessions, once being the only artificial island concession in China.
We arrived on the island at 11 a.m. and walked around taking pictures. Since we also planned to check in at the Canton Tower, known as 'Xiaomanyao', we reluctantly left in a hurry at 3 p.m. It is recommended to spend half a day on the island to walk around and see the sights. The weather was clear and fine, which definitely felt good, making it a place where people linger and do not want to leave.
The island has some very famous Western-style buildings:
The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel (originally Shamian Catholic Church), which is a Gothic building constructed in 1892;
The Guangdong Foreign Affairs Museum is the first local foreign affairs museum in the country, housed in a Baroque-style building built in 1890;
The Shamian Christ Church is a rare and completely preserved century-old Christian building in Guangzhou, which is why many couples choose to take their wedding photos here;
There are also the Customs House, the Taiwan Bank, the British Ice Factory, HSBC, the Soviet Consulate, and others.
Shamian Island not only has a rich historical and cultural heritage but also exudes a modern fashionable atmosphere. If you get tired of walking, you can rest for a while in the roadside cafes, restaurants, and bars, enjoying a leisurely and beautiful life.
A Great Place to Visit—Shamian
Shamian Island is full of European-style architecture🏠, and it's particularly rich in a sense of the era and history with ancient buildings visible everywhere🏠. A casual snapshot📷 here turns into a masterpiece, especially the coffee shops☕️ on Shamian Island.
What impressed me the most was the Starbucks with its mint green color scheme—simply amazing!!🌞 I personally recommend the main road in our cover photo for taking pictures📷. It's close to the riverside, and there are several upscale coffee shops along this road that are also great for photo ops.
📷Photo tips:
Capture candid shots while walking, and adjust the composition in post-production for a cinematic feel. Use props like newspapers or magazines, pretending to read them~~
▪ Take shots from across the street, using passing vehicles as the foreground to add a sense of story.
Admission: Free
Address: Shamian Island, Liwan District, Guangzhou City
Transport:🚇 Take Metro Line 1 to Huangsha Station, exits E or F are both fine
Popular Topics
# awesomepic
# tripblazers
# urbanexplorer
# mytripvlog
# summervacation
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations