Shamian Island Guide

Shamian Island (Samin Island), formerly known as Shameen Island, from its Cantonese pronunciation .Shamian Island is a reminder of Guangzhou’s colonial history and covers an area of 24,000 sq meters at the side of the Pearl River. It is not a true island, the name Shamian means sandbank, and it is now connected to the rest of the city by a series of bridges. After 1949, the mansions of Shamian became government offices or apartment houses and the churches were turned into factories. Beginning in 2007, the Chinese government slowed the rate of adoptions, and as a result the percentage of tourists to Shamian Island who are Westerners has decreased as well.

The territory of Shamian was divided into two concessions given to France and the United Kingdom by the Qing Dynasty government in the 19th century. From the mid 18th to the mid 19th century, Shamian was the only place where foreign merchants were allowed to live in Guangzhou. The large villas and shady tree lined avenues that were constructed then have a faded charm and create a contrasting atmosphere to much of the city.
While most of Guangzhou is battling along at breakneck pace Shamian is merely ambling. Along the river, the park area is a great place for people watching and tea drinking. Or walk along the wide sidewalks and dine in the open-air under the old trees.
Location: Guangzhou; Opening Hours: 24 hours; Contact number: + 86-10-58968802

• Liang Garden
• Foshan Ancestral Temple
• Seven Star Crags
• Zhaoqing
• Zengcheng
• The Temple of Six Banyan Tree
• the Chen Family Temple
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Shamian Island
• Yuexiu Park
• Beijing Road Pedestrian Shopping Street
• Gaodi Street Shopping Center
• The Pearl River
• Baiyun Mountain
• Guangzhou Museum
• Guangzhou Ocean World
• Sun Yet-sen University
• Pearl River
• Canton Tower
• Lotus Mountain
• Lotus Hill Park