Shamian Island

Background

Shamian lies in Liwan District, Guangzhou: a sandbank island on the Pearl River, facing the river to the south and separated from the city by Shaji Creek to the north, with an area of about 0.3 square kilometres. Rows of European-style buildings survive on the island, among them the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, completed in 1892, and the Shamian Church, built in 1865; bronze street statues are dotted along its tree-lined walks, and the island also has hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants and shops. From the Song to the Qing dynasty, the Shamian area was an important port for Guangzhou's foreign trade. In 1859 Britain and France dug an artificial channel that turned Shamian into an island and divided it into concessions, three fifths British and two fifths French; the two concessions were returned to China in 1943 and 1946. Today Shamian is a Guangzhou historic character area, and the nearby Chen Clan Ancestral Hall can be visited on the same trip.

Local customs

• Stroll along Shamian Avenue and Shamian South Street to look at the foreign-style houses
• take photos outside the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes
• walk along the river and enjoy the Pearl River
• sit for a while in one of the island's cafés or restaurants
• look closely at the bronze street statues and get a feel for how street life has changed.

Travel tips

• There are no buses on the island, so it is best explored on foot
• in summer, protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of water
• food and lodging prices are as posted by the shops.
• From Huangsha Station on the Guangzhou Metro, you can walk over a footbridge to the island
• from Huangsha Pier there are ferries to Fangcun Pier, and bus stops can be found around the island. Shamian is good to visit in all four seasons: spring and autumn are best for strolling, summer is lush and green but hot and humid, and winter is mild.