Shamian Island

Shamian, located in the southwest of Guangzhou, is a small island facing Liuersan Road. It has eight streets and lanes, covering an area of only 0.3 square kilometers, but it has a beautiful environment, lush green trees, and European-style buildings all over the island. In Shamian, you will find that all the buildings have an indescribable sense of vicissitudes after years of baptism. Visiting it, you can see the history and hear the past.

Shamian gives you a good impression. The transportation around the city center is very convenient. This is great. It feels like a small Gulangyu Island, but the buildings are more solemn and majestic than those on Gulangyu Island. Gulangyu Island is more fresh and literary. The whole Shamian is not big. It takes an hour and a half to walk around the periphery. One thing that must be praised here is that the shared bicycles above are very convenient. You can ride a bicycle to shuttle through these European-style buildings from the last century. It is very comfortable. In addition, there are two churches on the island, which is quite surprising. If you catch up, you can go there to worship. Photography is not allowed in the auditorium, but it is very beautiful.

In fact, when I was making the travel guide, I had always had a special liking for Guangzhou Stone Chamber Sacred Heart Cathedral. However, I felt a little lazy on the third day. I saw that Shamian was very close to Shangxiajiu, so I thought I might as well go for a visit instead of just encountering it by chance. In fact, when I looked at the photos on the Internet, Shamian really did not arouse my interest at all. The reason is very simple: it is too bland.

 

We started our tour from the easternmost part of Shamian, which is near the entrance to the Cultural Park. There are some preserved old buildings. Maybe some consulates and banks from the Republic of China period are in this area. The main street is a straight road that you can see the end at a glance. It is not very long. It feels like a park, and there are some street photos of popular tourist attractions.

 

There was a young lady sketching, and some kids were playing with a bubble machine. They took some random photos in front of a door and wrote on the photos when they got back, "So-and-so was here."

Arrived in the afternoon, there were many people, 5A-level scenic spot. All the former trading ports will leave behind historical relics such as foreign buildings, like Tianjin's Wudadao and Qingdao's Badaguan. It's just that this is a concession in the Lingnan area, and the taste is still a little different from that in the north... The trees here are always so lush, green everywhere, and with red lanterns, it's especially festive. It's especially quiet to visit Shamian in the early morning. Only nearby residents who come out for exercise can stroll slowly and deeply experience the exotic customs. You can also go to White Swan for morning tea and experience the top morning tea culture. In short, it's recommended to check in!

Walking from Shamian Fifth Street to Shamian Fourth Street, looking at the mottled house numbers in front of the buildings, I can’t actually tell the history of each building in Shamian, but sometimes I feel confused and it’s also beautiful to imagine a story by myself. It’s suitable for walking and stopping. The most heartwarming thing is to capture an old lady blowing bubbles in the grocery store.

Shamian is a place I wanted to visit before I came to Guangzhou. It is not a big place near the Pearl River, and it is quite tiring to walk around the chessboard layout. I walked around randomly, but Shamian didn't seem to be what I wanted. If I were to describe it, it would be like Gulangyu Island with a very neat layout. Maybe I was tired of seeing historical sites being treated as places for young people to take the same photos of Internet celebrities. I originally expected it to have more different things, but Shamian still disappointed me. I left without much lingering.

Shamian was our first stop. We walked across the overpass from the subway, passed the clusters of bougainvillea in full bloom, and arrived at Shamian. You can check Baidu Encyclopedia for an introduction to Shamian. It has history, architecture, customs, and culture. Shamian has the most beautiful Starbucks store in Guangzhou, and also the first five-star hotel in China, the White Swan, where the afternoon tea is super delicious. We went there twice in 4 days in Guangzhou~

The Shamian Concession complex is an important historical witness of Guangzhou as a trade center. The trees in Shamian are tall enough to prove the years they have gone through. Today, Shamian is an important landmark that showcases Guangzhou, a historical and cultural city, and is also a popular shooting location. The entire Shamian area is a place where people can spend a day in a daze. Architecture, plants, food, history, religion and many other factors make up the Shamian Cultural Tourism Area, a must-visit attraction in Guangzhou.

When I first heard the word Shamian, I didn't know what it was. Later I learned that Shamian is a sandbar formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. It was an important trade hub and tourist destination for both domestic and foreign countries in the past. Later it became a British and French concession. When I was about to reach Shamian, I saw many little girls walking in that direction. It was indeed a popular photo-taking spot.

On Shamian Square, groups of good friends, loving couples, and families of all kinds were strolling and taking pictures leisurely, creating a beautiful picture under the reflection of the colorful buildings around them.

In a corner of Shamian, the walls and buildings in various fresh colors are very exotic.

Shamian Island, a classic and nostalgic place suitable for taking photos.

I don't know the history of this place, I only know that it is an artificial island.

After the Opium War, this place became the British and French concession. The towering ancient trees bear witness to Shamian's long history of growth.

There are eight streets and alleys in Shamian. The scenic area is quite large and it is a bit tiring after walking around for half a day.

There are not too many shops selling souvenirs here, there are no vendors or stalls, and the streets are clean and tidy, which is also a major advantage that attracts me.

It takes about 2 hours to walk around Shamian (after all, you need to take photos), so you should reserve enough time when you are playing. There will be some traffic jams when driving there on holidays. It is recommended to drive to a nearby shopping mall and then walk to Shamian, otherwise it will be miserable to be stuck in the traffic.

Most of the buildings here are old buildings from Guangzhou during the Republic of China period, which are European-style. It is indeed a good place to take pictures. If possible, girls wearing cheongsam should have a good effect. In addition to the buildings, the entire Shamian is covered with towering trees. It is not too hot to walk around.

Shamian is not far from the Sacred Heart Cathedral. You can stroll there and take a look at the street scenes on both sides of the road. Yuexiu District should be the old city area. The buildings on both sides have the flavor of Hong Kong during the Republic of China period.

Shamian is a small, rectangular area, surrounded by old buildings with a European flavor and a small church. There are many banyan trees planted in the center and flowers and plants on the ground. It is similar to a street garden and there are many people in it.

When searching for must-visit attractions in Guangzhou on China-TravelNote, Shamian is always ranked first or second.

It is right on the bank of the Pearl River, with a pier at each end. It was originally a small sand dune deposited by the Pearl River. Later, it evolved into an extremely important commercial port in Guangzhou. Many countries have built consulates here, as well as various foreign companies and churches⛪, which is very similar to Qingdao's Badaguan.

Today, Shamian has become synonymous with art and freshness. Relying on its unique environmental advantages and various small buildings, it has attracted a large number of photography enthusiasts to come here to take artistic photos📷.

But we found that there is an even larger group here, that is, those who take their children out for a walk. Along the way, there are young mothers holding and pushing their children. If you think about it carefully, Shamian’s quiet and pleasant environment is really suitable for bringing babies to breathe fresh air 😁.

Because of the long history, the trees here have basically reached the level of towering trees🌳, so that many of them need external support. There are not many shops open in Shamian, most of them are businesses selling sentiments

Shamian gives me the feeling that it is a slow-paced place. At first, I was a little confused when I came here, and I didn’t know where to start. It doesn’t have a strong commercial atmosphere, nor does it have many shocking natural wonders. But just take a simple walk, or sit casually on a bench and savor it slowly. Perhaps in the fast-paced Guangzhou, there is a moment for you to enjoy the quiet, which is very beautiful.

Shamian is an important commercial port in Guangzhou. Over the past century, more than a dozen countries have established consulates in Shamian, nine foreign banks and more than 40 foreign companies have operated in Shamian, and the Guangdong Customs Club and Guangzhou Club have been established in Shamian. Shamian has become a microcosm of my country's modern history and concession history. The European-style buildings on Shamian Island have formed a unique open-air architectural museum.

It can be reached by Huangsha Station on Metro Line 1 and Line 6, and Wenhua Park Station on Metro Line 6 and Line 8.

Shamian Island is not big. It is very convenient to walk around Shamian North Street, Shamian Main Street and Shamian South Street in order and take photos.

Shamian was once called Shicuizhou. It is called "Shamian" because it is a sandbar formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. "Shamian" by the Baietan Lake of the Pearl River was called "Zhongliusha" in the early Qing Dynasty. In the ninth year of Emperor Xianfeng (1859), stones were transported to fill the sea and stone embankments were built to form an island, so it was also called "Shamian Island". Shamian was once an important commercial port in Guangzhou. Over the past hundred years, more than a dozen countries have established consulates in Shamian, nine foreign banks and more than 40 foreign companies have operated in Shamian, and the Guangdong Customs Club and Guangzhou Club have been established in Shamian. Institutions established here include Jardine Matheson (UK), Standard Chartered Bank (US), Mitsubishi (Japan), HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank and other giants that are still active in the world market. There are more than 150 European-style buildings on Shamian Island, including 42 distinctive Baroque, Gothic, Eclectic, Neoclassical and Chinese-Western style buildings, which are the most exotic European buildings in Guangzhou. Shamian has witnessed the changes in Guangzhou's modern history and has become a microcosm of China's modern history and concession history. Learn about history and take great photos.

Guangzhou Shamian Island (abbreviated as Shamian) is located on the opposite bank of Liuersan Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou. It is an artificial island on the Pearl River, located in the north of Baietan, and facing the Guangzhou mainland across the Shaji River. Shamian Island covers an area of only 0.3 square kilometers, surrounded by water, with green trees all year round, birds singing and flowers blooming, and an elegant environment. This beautiful island with quaint buildings surrounded by green trees and clear river water is truly the most unique European-style "paradise" in southern China!

Shamian is a small island. The whole area is full of various Western-style buildings from various countries that were rented out in the past. They are colorful and diverse in form. The whole area is not large and it only takes about an hour to walk around. Shamian is surrounded by water and has a large public area. It is also a good place for citizens to relax.

From Shamian Island, you can overlook the Pearl River. It is so-so during the day, but if you come at night, the night view is absolutely amazing and beautiful. Shamian Island is full of European-style buildings, which look a bit like the Bund buildings in Shanghai!

Shamian was once the concession of Britain and France in Guangzhou. The two countries conspired to establish an invasion base in Guangzhou. They saw the favorable terrain of Shamian, which could be retreated or escaped, so they negotiated with the Qing government and forced the Qing government to dig a small river (now Shajiyong) in the north of Shamian to separate it from the land and form a small island, which is now Shamian Island. They also forced the Qing government to dismantle the coastal forts of Shamian and build embankments as their place to live and do business.

Shamian, once called Shicuizhou, was named after the sandbar formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. It was an important trading hub and tourist destination for China and abroad during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. After Britain launched the Opium War in 1840, the British and French in Guangzhou conspired to establish an invasion base in Guangzhou in 1859. They took a fancy to Shamian, which faced Baietan and could attack or escape. A British official named Burke negotiated with the Qing government in Guangzhou and forced the Qing government to dig a 40-meter-wide and more than 1,200-meter-long small stream (now Shaji Creek) in the north of Shamian to separate it from the land, making Shamian an island. After the 11th year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1861), it became a British and French concession, and was not officially recovered by the Chinese government until 1946. It is very worth visiting, a place I like.

Shamian is a small island beside the Pearl River, formerly known as Shicuizhou. Because it used to be a concession area, there are many European-style buildings. Now it looks like a large park and is also a scenic spot in Guangzhou.

Although Shamian Island covers an area of only 0.3 square kilometers, it has an elegant environment and is like spring all year round. As an important commercial port in Guangzhou, Shamian, like many places in China that were once concessions of the British and French countries, has preserved many European-style buildings relatively intact. It is not only an important historical and cultural relic protection area, but also a popular tourist attraction loved by the public. Walking slowly along the Garden Avenue, you have plenty of time to appreciate these more than 150 charming buildings in various styles, such as neo-baroque, imitation Gothic, arcade, neoclassical, etc. It is like entering an exotic European town.

Because it was a concession, Shamian has many Western buildings and towering ancient trees, which have now become popular check-in spots. In this era of check-in tourism, these are factors that attract people.

The island is called Shamian because it was formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. There are eight streets and lanes on the island, covering an area of 0.3 square kilometers. Shamian was an important trading hub and tourist destination for China and abroad during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. After the Opium War, it became a British and French concession in the 11th year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign in the Qing Dynasty.

Although Shamian still retains many European-style buildings, it is still far behind other famous tourist attractions in terms of the overall atmosphere. In addition, Shamian itself is not a "developed" tourist attraction, so it actually retains many of its original functions, such as the embassy. Therefore, the relevant supporting facilities may be less, and the atmosphere is not quite up to expectations.



However, Shamian still has its own characteristics, such as the big banyan tree on the island, which complements the historical buildings behind it.

If you have breakfast at White Swan, you will definitely go for a stroll on Shamian Street. This may be the most European-style place in Guangzhou. There are more than 150 European-style buildings on the island, which is a well-preserved Western classical architectural complex in my country. Today, Shamian is surrounded by water, and Western classical buildings are scattered among the greenery and flowers. The environment is very beautiful, which has become a rare, quiet and relaxing European-style place in sharp contrast to the surrounding bustling cities. The "most beautiful kilometer" Central Avenue runs through the central axis. Between the trees and houses, there are pedestrians, street parks, a blank space that can be touched, and silence that can be listened to. The sand in the hourglass falls like snow, covering the sky and the earth. It seems that in an instant, the pain of wind and rain erosion and the deep and sad memories are gone, and a kind of tranquility and leisure over time, the noble beauty and the style of Western paintings slowly float on the face of Shamian.

If you want to experience the exotic atmosphere in Guangzhou, go to Shamian. Fortunately, some of the decorations have been completed during the National Day holiday, so there is no big impact. It is very suitable for walking, stopping and taking pictures! There is also a band performance playing "red" songs, which is really comfortable.

Shamian Island is located by the Pearl River. During the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Shamian was an important trading hub and tourist destination for China and abroad. After the Opium War, it became a British and French concession in the 11th year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign (1861). There are many old sites of consulates and foreign companies here, with a European style, and many tourists take photos here.

The existing buildings in Shamian were basically built after the 19th century, including consulates, churches, schools, banks, foreign companies, clubs, hotels, small residences, etc. The architectural styles include neo-baroque, neo-classical and so-called colonial styles, but bricks and wood are no longer used. Instead, reinforced concrete beam and slab structures are used.

Shamian Island is not far from Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, and can be reached within 10 minutes on foot. There are many dry goods and local specialties along the way. Walk across an overpass and you will see Shamian Island opposite. Shamian Island is a 5A-level scenic spot with many ancient buildings in European style. It is a famous foreign affairs tourist area and historical and cultural relic protection area in Guangzhou, with attractions such as Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Soviet Consulate, and HSBC Bank.

After brunch, take a taxi to Shamian. Shamian Island is an important commercial port in Guangzhou. It has been around for hundreds of years and is a microcosm of my country's modern history and concession history. The European-style buildings on the island form a unique open-air architectural "museum". The island is like a European town, with cafes, churches, restaurants and bars, which are very photogenic. It is a good choice to take photos here.

The scenic spots in Guangzhou city are worth visiting. The modern European-style buildings and the green trees from a long time contrast with each other. My first impression of it is very good. It is a bit like the architectural style of the Bund in Shanghai and has a bit of the atmosphere of the buildings on Gulangyu Island. In short, this place is unique!

When you come here, you can only see the exterior of the building, and most of the interior is not accessible. Some places are renovated, while others are still very old! There are not many places that can be entered as shops. This shop selling retro toys is quite in tune with the environment here!

There are many newlyweds who come here to take photos using the unique architectural features, and there are also many people who come here to take photos while traveling. I also like the architecture here. This time I didn’t find a travel photographer, so I just took a quick look at the buildings!

Don't buy anything from this store when you go to Shamian Island. Not only are the things in the store expensive, but the boss is also very uncultured. If you don't buy enough for his ideal price, he will call you a sb and other ugly words when you leave. The most hateful thing is that his mother is the best at cursing in Guangzhou! No wonder like mother like son.

The name of the store is: Zhuwa Convenience Store

It is a sandbar formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River, so it is called Shamian. In fact, it also has another name, Shicuizhou, which I think is a more literary name. I envy the people who live there, who live like Northern Europe and have a leisure life.

The architecture is unique and is very suitable for girls who love taking photos. There are a lot of people, haha, I like it very much. I went there in May last year. It was a bit stuffy, so remember to wear less.

Shamian is really beautiful. Fortunately, it didn't rain when we went out today, and we even saw the sun in Guangzhou🌞~

Unfortunately, I was wearing a sweater and trousers, and I almost died of heat afterwards.

The dampness after the rain, the lush trees 🌳 ~ European-style buildings left over from history ~

There is also a Shamian Primary School in Shamian. The place is not big, but it gives people a very comfortable feeling.

There is also a Tiffany blue Starbucks over there, but it is under renovation.

After that, we walked from Shamian to the Sacre-Coeur in more than 10 minutes. On the day we went there, the news reported that Notre Dame de Paris had been burned down. So when we saw this church, we felt a little sad. The Sacre-Coeur is one of the only four Gothic churches left in the world.

The door was not open when we went there, so we took pictures outside the door📷~

The first time I heard the name Shamian, I felt it was strange. After reading the tour guide’s introduction, I learned that Shamian was formerly called Shicuizhou, a sandbar. Later, during the Opium War, it became the British and French Concession, so a moat was built around it and artillery batteries were set up.

After the restoration, the exotic architecture was preserved and it became a tourist attraction. There are real people living in Shamian, so it can be considered both a living area and a tourist attraction.

As soon as you enter the door, you will find the European architectural style, as if you have walked into a European city.

A small church, silent inside, with some Christian brochures.

We pretended to sit inside and worship, and after everyone went in they all spoke in low voices, and it felt good.

I don't know if it's because it used to be a concession, but every street and every building in Shamian is filled with Chinese flags, promoting Chinese sovereignty everywhere. I can't help but feel proud of my motherland.

Walk along the branch road to the edge of Shamian, which is the Pearl River. It makes me feel uncomfortable to think that the foreign coalition forces used to watch the Chinese people from across the river from here.

But having said that, the scenery here is really nice. I couldn't find the way to go up the viaduct behind, otherwise I would have been able to see a wider view.

Guangzhou's open-air architecture museum! ! ! !

We chose a good place, right near the White Swan Hotel, with green trees and shade, which is especially suitable for taking photos.

Very beautiful~ Portuguese architecture? European architecture? I don't know hahaha~~ Suitable for friends who take photos~~

Is there anyone who would like to share a house in Chen Clan Academy Community in Laoxiguan, Guangzhou? It is a convenient place for eating, drinking, playing, clothing, food, housing and transportation. You don’t have to worry about it.😬😬

After visiting Shangxiajiu, we came to Shamian. The buildings are quite unique and suitable for taking photos and strolling around.

Shamian is quite famous, but unfortunately we only went there at night to take a look around

A great place for taking photos. Spend an afternoon walking and taking photos. Start by getting to know the city you live in and travel around the world step by step.

This place is beautiful and suitable for outdoor photography

There is a very unique Starbucks ❤️

Very Guangzhou historical atmosphere! ! ! ! !

It has a sense of history and is visually rich. It is worth a visit. By the way, I would like to remind you to bring a charger. There are so many places to take photos!

Nice scenery, nice old buildings, White Swan at Zhujiang Royal View

Shamian Island feels average, it's just the old concession buildings, nothing special, the buildings are still nice, it feels like the narrow alleys have changed

The western-style buildings are magnificent and a great place to take photos and check in. There are also many restaurants and bars.

The park bar with European-style buildings is suitable for taking photos. For me, the small shop in the Water City Legend may be more attractive.

Guangzhou’s former “concession” is a great place to experience European-style architecture.

It is a place where you can't stop taking pictures even when it is raining heavily.

Oh my god, here it comes again. Didn’t I upload it once today?

A very artistic place, suitable for taking photos and wedding photos

Guangzhou's old neighborhood. Now it's a tourist area. Nice to walk around! Quiet.

Shamian is an old neighborhood in Guangzhou, where many things happened in the past. Because there were concessions here, some old buildings are still preserved, which is precious.

It rained a little when I came. There were many people and the scenery was nice.

The 7th stop of this trip to Guangzhou, Shamian Island, was a foreign concession in the late Qing Dynasty, so many Western-style buildings are preserved.

It's quite relaxing if you go there during non-holidays. There are many people taking wedding photos. The sun is very good in the afternoon.

Guangzhou can accommodate multiple cultures and has all kinds of styles.

In a place with a bit of retro flavor, you can watch a play

Shamian is a sandbar formed by the alluvial deposits of the Pearl River. It can also be said to be a small island on the river. It was once set aside as a British and French concession, leaving behind a large number of European-style buildings.

Shamian is a good place to bring back girls who like taking photos. Otherwise, in your eyes, it is just a few old buildings and some interesting bronze statues. Girls who know how to take photos can give you a different retro feeling. There are some small parks around Shamian, and you can see many elderly people walking around with their dogs or learning musical instruments.

Guangzhou is a very unique place with many historical buildings. I recommend you to visit it when you have time. We went to the White Swan Hotel for breakfast and then strolled around to help digest the food.

Shamian was once an important commercial port in Guangzhou. The European-style buildings on the island have become a microcosm of modern history. Every weekend, you can see many tourists taking photos, commercial shoots, and wedding dresses on the island.

A tourist attraction for viewing architecture. Very commercialized, historical buildings have been turned into shops. It takes 1-2 hours to walk around and leave.

The scenery is better than expected, and the buildings are beautiful (there are not many toilets, and those that are are around)

There aren't many people there when you go there, so it's a good choice to take your kids there on weekends!

Today, some unique overall architectural environments have been preserved relatively intact, and there are many ancient trees on the island. The air is very fresh, making it a very suitable place to stay quietly for a while.

Walking into Shamian, the air suddenly becomes quiet. Camphor, Chinese catalpa, yellow cypress, green banyan, and fine-leaved banyan trees, most of which are over a hundred years old, are old but strong, green and willful, with rich and winding branches.

I took a walk around Shamian, and there were many small Western-style buildings. I took some photos. For us, it would be a pity if we didn't come to this kind of attraction, but it would be just so-so if we really came.

After dinner, we walked along Shamian Street and Shamian 1st and 2nd Street. But it was already completely dark, with only street lights, and I didn't have any lighting equipment, so I couldn't get the desired effect, so I gave up and didn't continue shooting. Along the way, we passed by a small red house, a light yellow house, the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, and a church, full of European style. It was a pity that we didn't see the consulate and the former site of the Guangdong Customs.

At this point, I strongly recommend that you look at the tourist attraction map of Shamian in advance and plan your route reasonably so that it looks orderly. Shamian is quite large, and the road names are all "Shamian X Road". And it is best to go during the day when there is plenty of light, so you can definitely take great photos and "pretend to be in Europe"!

The scenery is pretty good! You are not allowed to take photos at the Consulate of Gallic Rooster, so I only took a photo of the sign! Most of the buildings are European style.

Walking in Shamian, you will feel the European style. We can hang out here for a long time. If we are not full of food, we really want to have a cup of coffee, quietly look at the people, trees, and buildings, and spend an afternoon relaxing~

A quiet place in the city, shaded by green trees, with an elegant environment, it is worth a visit. It is also close to the White Swan Hotel, so you can go there when it is convenient.

This is a must-visit place when you come to Guangzhou. Even the accommodation is booked here. The environment is very good, the buildings are beautiful, and I started the photo-taking mode. But the place is not big.

I went to Shamian and sat in the famous small fresh Starbucks. I ordered frappuccino and cake. It felt like an old building and I was not very interested.