After a rather short work week due to the Canton Fair, the weekend is finally here and it's time for us to explore one of Guangzhou's most popular and pleasant destinations: the famous Shamian Island.  

Shamian Island was ceded to France and the United Kingdom in 1859 following the Treaty of Tianjin, then recovered by the Republic of China in 1943. It thus retains a very strong colonial imprint, evident particularly in its architecture. Measuring just 800 meters in length and bordered to the south by the Pearl River, it can truly be described as an oasis within the city of Guangzhou. The visit promises to be refreshingly different, a perfect escape from the city's chaos. We head to the Huangsha metro station in the Liwan district, and after crossing a small bridge, we've arrived at our destination.

Indeed, the first impression is quite positive. The architecture of certain pastel-coloured buildings stands in stark contrast to what we're accustomed to seeing in Guangzhou, though some are crumbling and appear to be disappearing.

The streets are clean and lined with trees, which give the island a certain serenity. All the more so since there are far fewer people here than in any other part of the city—one might think locals actively avoid it. This is definitely an address to note for peaceful Sunday strolls!

We come across our first church, Christ Church Shamian. This British Protestant church, built in 1865, features beautiful stained glass windows, and we're surprised to find so many Chinese visitors inside.

Christ Church Shamian

Interior of the church

Beyond colonial buildings, the island is home to numerous souvenir shops, hotels (including the renowned White Swan Hotel, Asia's first 5-star establishment), consulates, restaurants and more. Speaking of which, hunger soon sets in and we choose the first restaurant that appears. Prices seem considerably higher than elsewhere in the city, which is explained by the area's touristy and upscale character.

A soft drink for the price of two meals in town

The island also remains a privileged destination for international adoption, as many Western couples who come specifically for this purpose choose to stay in the hotels provided. We continue our visit, this time encountering a very European church: Notre-Dame de Lourdes! This French Catholic church was completed in 1892 and has undergone multiple renovations. Unfortunately, it's only open to the public during Sunday services, so we can only admire it from the outside.

Notre Dame de Lourdes

The authenticity of the location also draws newlyweds to have professional photographs taken, creating moments to be treasured forever (or perhaps not!).

But that's not all! We also caught sight of a model in the midst of a photo shoot, drawing wide-eyed stares from self-conscious locals, as well as a group of young Chinese women dressed in cosplay attire for what looked like an amusing fashion shoot.

A young damsel in distress

All in all, a refreshing breath of fresh air that truly does you good, though the place is hardly exceptional. The streets nonetheless have their charm and make Shamian Island a destination worth considering if you're passing through Guangzhou.

Since we're nearby, we'll go on to visit the famous Qingping Market, which promises to be equally exotic... Stay tuned!   To view our Guangzhou photos, feel free to visit the gallery.