Shamian Island (Liwan district)

Shamian Island is a small but very beautiful island filled with nice trees, sculptures, fountains and beautiful historical colonial buildings in European style, in various conditions. Shamian, that means "sandy surface", is situated in the south part of Liwan district, next to Pearl River. It used to be the place where impressive foreign trade mansions were built during the colonial period. In a row of houses called Thirteen Factories, foreigners lived and did business. The island is 900 meters long from east to west and 300 meters wide from south to north. Shamian was an important port during the Sing and Qing dynasties. After 1949, the mansions of Shamian became government offices or apartment houses and the churches were turned into factories, it is a must see for tourists. Everywhere you find nice sculptures of people from the colonial past of Guangzhou. The island is almost free of cars, but not completely unfortunately so you have to watch out while strolling on the tranquil steets where you don't expect to see cars. Militaries and policemen are patrolling the streets and there is a police station on the island. Hotels, restaurants, café, souvenir stores and health instititues can be found here today. The White Swan hotel that was built in 1980 was one of Guangzhou's first highrises, but is today the only tall building on the island.

We visited Shamian in the late afternoon and evening the first day we arrived in Guangzhou. Personally, I found it more similar to small cities in southern USA (Savannah, Charleston) then Europe.

Bridge to Shamian Island. Shamian Island is part of Liwan district. It is a very small but beautiful island with heritage buildings in Western style, a must see. Shamian Island is a small but very beautiful island filled with nice trees, sculptures, fountains and beautiful historical colonial buildings in European style, in various conditions. Shamian, that means "sandy surface", is situated in the south part of Liwan district, next to Pearl River, and used to be the place where impressive foreign trade mansions were built during the colonial period. In a row of houses called Thirteen Factories, foreigners lived and did business. The island is 900 meters long from east to west and 300 meters wide from south to north. It was an important port during the Sing and Qing dynasties and is a must see. After 1949, the mansions of Shamian became government offices or apartment houses and the churches were turned into factories. Everywhere you find nice sculptures of people from the colonial past of Guangzhou. The island is almost free of cars, but not completely unfortunately so you have to watch out while passing the streets and don't expect cars. Militaries and policemen are patrolling the streets. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores and health instititues can be found here today. We visited Shamian in the late afternoon and evening the first day we arrived in Guangzhou. Personally, I found it more similar to small cities in southern USA (Savannah, Charleston) then Europe. This bridge to Shamian Island is called Western Bridge or Bridge to England. Shamian Island is a small but very beautiful island filled with nice trees, sculptures, fountains and beautiful historical colonial buildings in European style, in various conditions. Shamian, that means "sandy surface", is situated in the south part of Liwan district, next to Pearl River, and used to be the place where impressive foreign trade mansions were built during the colonial period. In a row of houses called Thirteen Factories, foreigners lived and did business. The island is 900 meters long from east to west and 300 meters wide from south to north. It was an important port during the Sing and Qing dynasties and is a must see. After 1949, the mansions of Shamian became government offices or apartment houses and the churches were turned into factories. Everywhere you find nice sculptures of people from the colonial past of Guangzhou. The island is almost free of cars, but not completely unfortunately so you have to watch out while passing the streets and don't expect cars. Militaries and policemen are patrolling the streets. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores and health instititues can be found here today. We visited Shamian in the late afternoon and evening the first day we arrived in Guangzhou. Personally, I found it more similar to small cities in southern USA (Savannah, Charleston) then Europe. The road along Pearl River, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 08 Shamian Island 09 The road along Pearl River, Shamian Island. The road along Pearl River, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 12 Statues of Shamian Island. Postbox/children, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 15 Lingeria Music statue on Shamian Island. Lingeria Music statue on Shamian Island. Children statue, Shamian Island. Shamian da jie, one of the main roads with sculptures, fountains and trees. Fountain at Shamian da jie road. Shamian Island 21 Starbucks, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 23 Shamian da Jie, Shamian Island. Shamian da Jie, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 26 Odd children statues, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 28 Shamian Island 29 Shamian Island 30 Statue of Shamian Island. Shamian Island 32 Susan's Place, Shamian 5 Jie road. Shamian 5 Jie road. Note the large number of police cars parked here. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on Shamian Island. It was completed in 1892 and is situated in the French end of the island. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on Shamian Island. It was completed in 1892 and is situated in the French end of the island. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on Shamian Island. It was completed in 1892 and is situated in the French end of the island. Shamian Island 38 Shamian Island 40 White Swan Hotel, the only highrise building on Shamian Island.It has a waterfall inside the lobby. It has 34 floors and was built in 1980, at the moment the second tallest building in Guangzhou. White Swan Hotel, the only highrise building on Shamian Island.It has a waterfall inside the lobby. It has 34 floors and was built in 1980, at the moment the second tallest building in Guangzhou. White Swan Hotel, the only highrise building on Shamian Island.It has a waterfall inside the lobby. It has 34 floors and was built in 1980, at the moment the second tallest building in Guangzhou. Skyscraper in Huzhu district seen from Shamian Island Guangzhou Youth Hostel, Shamian Island. Guangzhou Youth Hostel, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 45 There are many souvenir stores on Shamian Island . Shamian Island 47 Palms and TV screens, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 49 A Rose Garden, a restaurants that we visited on Shamian Island. Note the large Carlsberg signs, Danish beer is popular in China! Colourful ship of Pearl River and Huzhu district seen from Shamian Island. Huzhu district seen from Shamian Island Colourful ship of Pearl River Huzhu district seen from Shamian Island Colouoful ships of Pearl River seen from the restaurant Illuminated boat passing on Pearl River by Shamian Island, seen from Rose Garden. Shamian Island 57 An advertizement boat! Rose Garden, a nice restaurant that we tried that offered views of Pearl River. It was complicated to order due to the staff's lack of English but that food and drinks were good, a good value for money. Rose Garden, a nice restaurant that we tried that offered views of Pearl River. It was complicated to order due to the staff's lack of English but that food and drinks were good, a good value for money. Rose Garden, a nice restaurant that we tried that offered views of Pearl River. It was complicated to order due to the staff's lack of English but that food and drinks were good, a good value for money. Rose Garden, a nice restaurant that we tried that offered views of Pearl River. It was complicated to order due to the staff's lack of English but that food and drinks were good, a good value for money. Shamian Island 63 Tao Ran Xuan is a Chineses restaurant in this nice building on Shamian Island. Tao Ran Xuan is a Chineses restaurant in this nice building on Shamian Island. Shamian Island 66 "Living" seafood at a restaurant. Statue with three generations of Chinese women, Shamian Island Statue of two men, Shamian Island Lucy's Bar & Café, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 71 Shamian Island 72 Shamian Island 73 Illuminated colonial building on Shamian Island. Restaurant, Shamian Island Shamian Island 76 Shamian Island 77 Renmin Bridge across Pearl River to Shamian Island. Renmin Bridge across Pearl River to Shamian Island. Shamian Island 80 Illuminated bridge across the Pearl River Kafelaku Coffee, Shamian Island. A train that has been transformed into a restaurant, Shamian Island. Shamian Island 84 Weston Hotel, Shamian Island. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at night. Shamian Island 87 There are many beautiful heritage buildings on Shamian Island that are illuminated at night. Shamian Island 89 Shamian Island 90 There are many beautiful heritage buildings on Shamian Island that are illuminated at night. A medical center, Shamian Island. Shamian Island is a small but very beautiful island filled with nice trees, sculptures, fountains and beautiful historical colonial buildings in European style, in various conditions. That is because before the founding of PRC, Shamian Island was taken by the British and the French as their Concession.Shamian, that means "sandy surface", is situated in the south part of Liwan district, next to Pearl River, and used to be the place where impressive foreign trade mansions were built during the colonial period. In a row of houses called Thirteen Factories, foreigners lived and did business. The island is 900 meters long from east to west and 300 meters wide from south to north. It was an important port during the Sing and Qing dynasties and is a must see. After 1949, the mansions of Shamian became government offices or apartment houses and the churches were turned into factories. Everywhere you find nice sculptures of people from the colonial past of Guangzhou. The island is almost free of cars, but not completely unfortunately so you have to watch out while passing the streets and don't expect cars. Militaries and policemen are patrolling the streets. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores and health instititues can be found here today. We visited Shamian in the late afternoon and evening the first day we arrived in Guangzhou. Personally, I found it more similar to small cities in southern USA (Savannah, Charleston) then Europe. Going back to the mainland. Huangsha Square is the closest metro station to Shamian Island.