Peaceful placeof GZ, Sha mian Island
The heart of Guangzhou's former European concession—France and England both set up shop on this sandy river island in 1859 toward the end of the Opium Wars—Shamian Island is home to a number of colonial-era buildings, including a restored French Catholic church, Our Lady of Lourdes; its British Protestant complement, the Christ Church Shamian; and many former hotels, embassies, trading houses and residences.
The island (actually a permanent sand bank in the Pearl River) makes for pleasant strolling and sightseeing, with its gardens and tree-lined streets, restaurants, cafes and tea houses. You can stay on Shamian Island, if you wish; there is a youth hostel for backpackers and several hotels provide a higher degree of accommodations, with the five-star White Swan Hotel being a particularly popular hotel among travelers, a number of whom are in Guangzhou to adopt (the US Consulate is next door, making legwork and paperwork easier).
History
Shamian Island was a very important port for Guangzhou’s foreign trade during the rule of the Song and Qing Dynasties, and for several centuries this tiny patch of land was the only place in China that any foreigner was permitted to live. As such, you will find a great deal of 18th century European and American-style architecture. The island also became a strategic point, and the location of some conflict, during the Opium Wars. During this time the territory was divided into two parts, the French concession and the British concession. The differences in architecture and cultural legacy remain to this day.
Sites
Although it is not exactly laden down with landmarks, Shamian Island is a great place to stroll around and unwind. The gardens that stretch down the main boulevard are a great place to wander and take in the sites of the island, and they’re especially popular for wedding photos. But the architecture is unique and really quite beautiful, and there are at least a couple sites worth hunting down. One of the first that you are likely to find is the French Catholic church, (露德圣母堂) located at Shamian da jie.
