Shamian Island
Shamian Island gives you the opportunity to see what the city looked like during the era of the colonialists. It is difficult to find classic Chinese buildings here; the island is filled with houses with typical French windows and European bridges. For a while you can forget that you are in a Chinese city and plunge into European flavor. While walking around Guangzhou, you can enjoy not only traditional Chinese architecture, but also temporarily find yourself on an island of European tranquility.
History of the island
Shamian Island owes this feature to the peace treaty concluded in 1861 after the end of the little-known Opium War. During the conflict, Shamian was an important defense point. Under the terms of the agreement, this piece of Chinese land came under the rule of the French and British. For 80 years it was a European possession, which affected its development. Churches and buildings with a European flavor were erected on the island. Not all local residents could get to the island. But in 1949 the situation changed, Shamian Island again came under Chinese ownership. The special architecture allowed the island to become a cultural heritage site.
Island attractions
Shamian Island looks like a huge ship, and its streets are arranged in a clear order. Three streets run from east to west, intersected by five streets running from north to south. The 19th century European style is a distinctive feature of Shamian that attracts tourists. You should start your walk from the main boulevard, on the sides of which there are majestically built houses from the nineteenth century. Now they have cafes and souvenir shops. Signs are hung on the mansions informing tourists about the history of each building. House No. 68 previously housed the USSR Consulate. Two churches were opened for believers: French and English. The date of their construction is the end of the 19th century.
There are many bronze statues on the streets of Shamian Island. They clearly show the long history of the island. There are sculptures dedicated to ancient Chinese traditions, the era of colonization and the time after the return of Shamian to its native lands. You can stroll through the parks of the island and breathe in the fresh air. If you are so impressed by the island that you have no desire to return to the mainland, you can stay at a hotel. After checking in, it’s nice to walk along the embankment in the evening, visiting cute cafes and restaurants.
How to get there
You can get to Shamian Island by metro, the nearest station is Huangsha, then you need to cross the bridge. For a more pleasant walk, you can take the ferry, it departs from Fangcun. You will need to pay 0.5 yuan for a ticket. The size of the island is small, so it is easy to cross on foot, especially since there is no public transport here.
