Shamian Island Guangzhou

Shamian Island 沙面岛 (Guangzhou 广州)

Shamian Island/沙面岛

Old Colonial House on Shamian Dao

It could be Spain, France or Portugal, but it’s not

Shamian Island Guangzhou: It could be Spain, France or Portugal, but it’s not. The houses are gorgeous colonial era buildings, lovingly and meticulously restored back to their original condition. The broad tree lined avenues are an oasis of luxuriant green. Locals play card games or badminton and newlyweds and models pose to have their photos taken against the spectacular backdrop of elegant buildings. Traffic is conspicuous by its absence.

Green and laidback Shamian Island

Welcome to Shamian Dao (Island)

Welcome to Guangzhou! Or better said; welcome to Shamian Dao (Island), the haven of peace in one of China’s most frenetic cities.

We stayed on Shamian Island while we explored the rest of Guangzhou and parts of Guangdong. It provided a wonderful retreat after a day of sightseeing, market exploring or pigging out in one of Guangzhou’s famous Dim Sum restaurants.

It wasn’t always like this

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