Shamian Island, Guangzhou

Fondest memory: Shamian Daijie, meaning Shamian central avenue, is a two lane street that runs across the middle of Shamian Island, separated by lush gardens and park area... The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, with lots of flowers, plants and big trees welcoming you as you stroll along... Sometimes you'll see people playing badminton, or rollerblading, or kids playing games...

Fondest memory: The vanilla and lime colored buildings you see pictured here are typical of the colonial style architecture of Guangzhou's Shamian Island... Most of the buildings on the island were built about 100 to 150 years ago during the post-Opium wars occupation period by either the English or the French or other such European powers of the day... Many of the structures were embassies or police stations or residences... Some buildings were also used as trade warehouses by merchants from India and other countries...

Fondest memory: Displayed here is the French Catholic "Our Lady of Lourdes" Chapel, which has undergone restoration and stands resolutely on Shamian Diajie, on the former French side of Shamian Island... A vestige of French religious imperialism, the church is a reminder simultaneously sinistre et sympathique, de la guerre sanguinaire, unleashed by the greedy opium trading profiteers of the Dixneuvieme...

Fondest memory: Shamian Island is the home to many extraordinary trees, many of them as old as 200 or 300 years...! Most of them have a small sign attached to them telling the age of the tree... Many tropical varieties can be found such as the famous banyan trees that have populated this region of China for ages...

Fondest memory: This is one of my favorite buildings on Shamian Dao, located on Shamian Daijie, somewhere around the intersection of 3rd or 4th street... Crumbling, decaying and dilapidated, this seemingly ancient, timeworn construction, hidden behind an overgrowth of trees, suggests the abandoned precinct of a post-apocalyptic catastrophe of some kind...

Fondest memory: During the night, Shamian Dao transforms into a deeply romantic locale, where lovers often walk amidst the gardens and parks, or along the side of the Pearl River, sitting on benches, holding hands, or dining under Chinese lanterns at restaurants... The various constructions of the island are lit up at night with spectral, almost mystical chroma, like the blush of violet you see in the image here...

Favorite thing: I don't know what my preconcieved notions were about China before my trip there last week,but I do know that I was delighted and surprised by what I discovered. Firstly, the ball room dancing in the park at night, the fan dancing and Tai chi, and the bustling, yet strangely invigorating pulse of the city streets, were an absolute eye opener. I was struck by the sense of community that the open green spaces and parks appeared to reflect. On boat tip up the Pearl River, I made friends which several wonderful Chinese children who wanted to say "hi" a thousand times to this rather strange looking white woman before them!
North to Beijing, I thoroughly enjoyed the Silk market which borders the American Embassy. According to local gossip, while the Embassy staff "pooh pooh" the corporate rip offs the silk alley merchants conduct, the staff continues to shop there. Ah - capitalism at its best.
The Great Wall was another delight - although the vendors are a little aggressive, they will deal and are polite none the less...
a wonderful trip and a desire to return soon!

Fondest memory: A trip to Shamian Island is an absolute "do no miss" with a wonderful Vietnamese coffee house where Vietnamese coffee, a sweet and delightful blend of flavours, awaits you. The European ambience as well as the colonial buildings (many of which are in sad need of repair) harken back to a past best remembered for its historical import rather than its symbolism.

Favorite thing: Guangzhou is a busy and polluted city. But not far from central Guangzhou, there's a small Island which is just like paradise. Shamian Island is so peaceful. You won't see heavy traffic there. Houses there are from late 19th century and early 20th century. I think I love those old houses the most.