In the European-style old buildings, I found another time and space of Guangzhou—Shamian Island

Friends! Recently, I discovered a hidden gem to escape the city's hustle and bustle—Shamian Island. Honestly, yesterday at 3 p.m., I was sitting in a café inside an old Western-style building on Shamian Street, watching sunlight filter through century-old banyan trees and fall on the mottled walls, and suddenly felt that the entire rhythm of Guangzhou had slowed down.

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🌳【First Impressions of Shamian: The Illusion of Traveling to a European Town】

Exit from Huangsha Metro Station at Exit F, cross the overpass, and you arrive at Shamian Island. My first impression: this place is like a completely different world from the rest of Guangzhou! The island is filled with exotic old buildings, all very well preserved.

· Must-visit buildings:
· Former HSBC Building: mint green exterior, super photogenic
· Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel: pale yellow church, especially gentle under the sunlight
· Former Taiwan Bank Building: red brick architecture with a strong sense of history

To be honest, you don’t need any filters to take photos here. I met a couple taking wedding photos; the bride said shooting on Shamian was even better than in a studio because these buildings come with their own stories.

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🚶【Best Walking Route: A Leisurely Stroll Away from the Crowds】

I’ve summarized a tried-and-true route:
Enter the island from the Starbucks entrance at 3 p.m. → stroll slowly along Shamian Street → turn into Shamian South Street to see old houses → wait for sunset near Renmin Bridge

Highly recommend walking on Renmin Bridge at dusk, watching boats come and go on the Pearl River, with the sunset dyeing the whole island golden. That moment is truly healing.

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📸【Photo Tips: How to Capture More Atmosphere】

1. Want to avoid crowds? Come before 9 a.m. when tour groups haven’t arrived yet, and the whole island is very quiet.
2. Some lesser-known photo spots:
· Side door of the former HSBC Building, fewer people and clearer architectural details
· Riverside at Shamian Park, where you can include banyan trees and boats in your shots
· Green benches along the street, perfect for casual artsy photos
3. Outfit suggestions: wear solid colors for better photos; off-white and light blue match the old buildings perfectly.

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🍵【Resting Spots on the Island: Best Places to Relax and Daydream】

If you get tired, I recommend these places to sit:

· Starbucks (Shamian Branch): known as the most beautiful Starbucks in Guangzhou, outdoor seats surrounded by greenery
· Shenchang Trading Company Café: a special feeling to drink coffee inside a century-old building
· Shamian Park: locals love to play chess and dance here, full of life

I especially like the Shenchang Trading Company café. Sitting under the archway of the old house, sipping an iced Americano, watching the mottled shadows of trees outside the window, an afternoon just slips by unknowingly.

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💡【Helpful Tips】

· Transportation: Exit Huangsha Station on Metro Lines 1/6 at Exit F, cross the overpass, and you’re there
· Admission: Free! It’s amazing such a beautiful place is free of charge
· Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours, perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll

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Honestly, before coming to Shamian, I thought it was just an ordinary tourist spot. But once inside, I realized what moves people most isn’t the European-style buildings themselves, but the atmosphere that slows down time. Watching elderly people practicing Tai Chi under banyan trees, uncles fishing by the river, young people reading on benches—you’ll feel that even in a fast-paced city like Guangzhou, there’s a place where you can catch your breath.

If you’re tired of the city noise, why not spend an afternoon walking around Shamian Island? Here, you’ll discover another side of Guangzhou—gentle, slow, and full of stories.

👉Follow me to discover more gentle corners of the city!