ILE DE SHAMIAN

Shamian Island, located in the extreme southwest of Canton on the left bank of the Pearl River, is a vestige of the colonial past. After the Treaty of Tianjin in 1858, this 868 x 289-meter enclave became a cosmopolitan territory for foreign concessions. Connected to the center of Canton by two bridges - one British, guarded by Sikhs, the other French, manned by Annamite troops - access to the island was strictly controlled. Today, it retains a timeless charm that contrasts with the dynamism of the metropolis.

Shamian is organized in a perfect colonial grid: three east-west avenues intersect five north-south arteries, encircled by a ring road. The main avenue, lined with gardens and century-old banyan trees, offers a lovely shady promenade.

The island's architecture bears witness to the golden age of trade. Its elegant buildings, a blend of neoclassical, Gothic and Renaissance styles, housed consulates, banks and foreign mission schools. Comparable to the architecture of Shanghai's Bund, the facades are adorned with European motifs, illustrating the dialogue between East and West.

Today, Shamian is an oasis in the middle of the megalopolis, popular with photographers and walkers alike. Its cafés and restaurants, shady benches and cobbled, pedestrianized streets make it a popular place to pass through. However, as one of the city's must-see tourist attractions, you won't be alone when you stroll here...far from it.