Guangzhou, in the minds of many, is a luxurious metropolis, advanced and developed. But in my eyes, Guangzhou is not just that. Introduced by a friend, I came to Shamian Island, a place with a strong historical atmosphere. Some people also call it Shi Cui Zhou, but no matter what, I was deeply attracted by the scenery here.
In the bustling city, in Guangzhou, the provincial capital where every inch of land is valuable, there is an area without commercial atmosphere, a well-preserved historical site that has weathered a hundred years of wind and rain – Shamian.
It is a sandbar formed by the Pearl River’s accumulation, also known as Shi Cui Zhou.
Whether it is called Shi Cui Zhou or Shamian, it cannot change the fact that it was once a British and French concession, a historical witness of semi-colonialism.
During the Qing Dynasty’s closed-door policy under Emperor Qianlong, Guangzhou became the only port open to trade with the West. The Western powers launched the Second Opium War, and this was where the war began.
The Qing Dynasty lost the war, and not only had to pay reparations, but also had to cede land. After the Anti-Japanese War, the Nationalist government reclaimed the Shamian concession. Now, over 150 European-style buildings remain intact, becoming a scenic spot in Guangzhou.
The scenery of Shamian is beautiful, the history is heavy, walking on such a street, you can still feel a trace of the tragic and helplessness of that time, but luckily, now it has returned to the embrace of the motherland.
As a national 5A-level scenic spot, there is no need to purchase tickets to enter Shamian. This is different from many other attractions. There are many centuries-old towering trees and exquisite European architecture. A friend told me that every weekend, there are many people who come here to relax and have fun, sit down for a cup of coffee, or take wedding photos, but it is not noisy or loud. Many people, when they get here, their hearts naturally calm down, leaving only serenity, perhaps they are awed by the elegance.
At this moment, a fine drizzle is falling, and the cool breeze sweeps away the stuffy air. Tourists stroll under the trees in twos and threes, holding umbrellas, stopping by the flowers, adding a touch of romance to the grand and steady atmosphere of Shamian.
Shamian in the rain, once a British and French concession, had consulates of more than a dozen countries (the Polish consulate is still there), banks, foreign firms, clubs, etc. This area reflects Western architectural techniques and art of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Today, I use the hurried steps of the 21st century to touch this land, look up at these 150 intricately carved buildings, my thoughts are boundless, several times I wanted to leave, but I wandered around for several times. For the grass and trees here, for the sandbar on No. 623 Road.
It is hard to imagine that here, over a hundred years ago, witnessed how much humiliation the people of Guangzhou endured, and how much domestic and foreign artistic sentiments were spread. It is imaginable that when Sun Yat-sen and Zhou Enlai set foot here, they must have thought more and done better, thereby changing the destiny of this nation.
What I see before me is not just a landscape, but also a microcosm of China’s modern and contemporary history and the concession period. This microcosm is still here, well-preserved. It must be preserved, let it remind us that backwardness will lead to being beaten, let it warn the people to strive for self-improvement.
The mountains are high and the waters are deep, flowers and plants cover the shade, the river of time flows endlessly. Shamian has always been here, whether you come or not, how long you stay. It belongs to Guangzhou, but also to China, to the world.
The rain stopped, I said to myself, go back, it’s getting late.
I looked back at the Shamian after the rain several times, looked up at the fiery sunset in the sky, that red seemed like an ancient nation’s wound bleeding.
But no matter what, there is a memory of an era here, even though it has been a long time ago, whether it is good or bad memory, it still lives in the hearts of each of us, and we also still believe that there are many such relics, only many times it is not just for us to reminisce about the past, but also to remind us of our responsibility as a Chinese.
【About Food】
1、Have a cup of coffee at the Baiyun Hotel 2、There is a very famous restaurant in Shamian, called 【Lan Kwai Fong】, which serves Southeast Asian cuisine.
【About Scenery】
1、Shamian is located on the north bank of the Pearl River’s Baihe Tan, a small oval-shaped island, originally a sandbar formed by the accumulation of the Pearl River, early known as Zhongliu Sha, Shi Cui Zhou. 2、It was once a British and French concession, and also the site of the Shaji Massacre. The architecture is unique, allowing you to experience an exotic atmosphere.
【About Transportation】
1、You can take bus No. 823 from the Guangzhou Railway Station (11 stops) and get off at the Municipal Hospital Station, walk about 110 meters to Shamian Island;
2、Take Metro Line 1 to Huangsha Station, Exit D, across the skywalk, and walk about 10 minutes to reach the island.
【About Itinerary】
Ticket: Free Opening hours: All day Time reference: Half day – 1 day
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