The City of Rams — Colonial Architecture in Shamian

Shamian is a sandbank island on the southern edge of Liwan District in Guangzhou. Situated on the riverside of the Pearl River, the area was, for centuries, a foreign trading post. Shamian’s role as the conduit of trade spanned the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was also a place of leisure and tourism as well. In the more recent 19th century, Shamian was a location of heavy foreign presence. Many countries have set up their consular offices in this area. In fact, the Polish Consulate of Guangzhou is still in Shamian today. Needless to say, it was also a prime location for business operations, such as foreign banks and trader offices (the “Hongs”—like the Thirteen Factories).



This would be the appropriate moment to bring back the memory of the Thirteen Hongs of Canton. This history is closely related to Shamian as we know it now. In 1856, the Second Opium War broke out. Great Britain launched extensive firepower against Guangzhou. This touched off a wave of local protests that resulted in the Thirteen Factories Enclave being burnt to the ground. The Second Opium War would last till 1860, during this time the British had taken control of Guangzhou.

Given Shamian’s historic role as a trading post, it came as no surprise that Shamian was eyed by the foreign powers as their foothold in Guangzhou. Shamian became a concession area for Great Britain and France beginning in the 11th year of the Xianfeng Reign (1861). The British abandoned the plans for rebuilding the Thirteen Factories Enclave, and instead looked to build Shamian.

Allow for at least two hours to walk through all the streets in Shamian. There are recreational areas as well as coffee shops for you to stop and take rest.




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#historicallandmarks#历史古迹

Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Feb 12, 2025