Recommended One-Day CityWalk Tour in Guangzhou | Liwan Shamian Island and Surroundings

Shamian Island, located in Liwan District of Guangzhou, is a 0.3-square-kilometer artificial island surrounded by water. It was a British and French concession in the 19th century and has preserved more than 150 European-style buildings, making it an "open-air museum."

The island is shaded by trees and features Gothic churches, Baroque trading houses, and neoclassical consulates. Listed as a National Key Cultural Protection Site in 1996, it is now Guangzhou's most exotic "paradise" and a popular spot for wedding photography and artistic photos!

🗺️ One-Day CityWalk Route:
Shamian Island Core Area➡️Yanjiang West Road➡️Sacred Heart Cathedral
🚇Transportation: Take Guangzhou Metro Line 1/6 to Huangsha Station Exit F, cross the footbridge and walk 3 minutes to reach Shamian Island.

🌞 Morning: Immerse in European Romance on Shamian Island
📍 Shamian Street
The main street is lined with century-old European buildings, perfect for vintage photos!
🌟Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church: A white Gothic church and Shamian landmark with beautiful light and shadows on sunny days.
🌟Victory Hotel: Former Victoria Hotel built by the British, with a vintage entrance perfect for photos.
🌟Starbucks: Popular photo spot, enjoy coffee under European arcades and pretend you're in Europe.
🌟Former HSBC Building: Neoclassical style with impressive giant Roman columns.

🍜 Lunch Recommendations
🌟Victory Hotel Dim Sum: Traditional Cantonese flavors, must-try shrimp dumplings and BBQ pork buns.
🌟Shamian South Street Restaurants: Western light meals or Southeast Asian cuisine in an artistic setting.

🌆 Afternoon: Century-old Commercial Port along Yanjiang West Road
📍 Canton Customs Museum➡️Postal Museum➡️Aiqun Building
🏃Getting there: Exit from Shamian South Gate, 10-minute walk to Yanjiang West Road.
🌟Canton Customs Museum: Neoclassical European architecture, its clock tower was once Guangzhou's highest landmark, exhibitions tell the Maritime Silk Road history.
🌟Postal Museum: European building from 1916, yellowish-brown granite exterior rich in history (exterior photos only, interior usually closed).
🌟Aiqun Building: "Guangzhou's first skyscraper" from 1937, features arcade architecture, even more stunning at night!

☕️ Afternoon Tea
🌟Riverside cafes near People's Bridge: Watch Pearl River boats while enjoying Cantonese milk tea + pineapple buns.

🌙 Evening: Sacred Heart Cathedral, Meet the "Notre-Dame of the East"
📍 Sacred Heart Cathedral
🚇Transportation: 15-minute taxi ride (about 3km) or take Metro Line 6 then transfer to Line 2 to Haizhu Square Station.
🌟One of the world's four all-granite Gothic cathedrals! Twin spires reach the sky, breathtaking stained glass windows. Keep quiet inside, Sunday mass available for experiencing the atmosphere.

🍲 Dinner: Old City Flavors, Time-honored Restaurants on Tongfu West Road
🌟Ng Choi Kee Noodles: Pioneer of wonton noodles, crispy fried wontons.
🌟Sam Kee Restaurant: Famous for aromatic claypot rice, worth queuing for!