Shamian

Shamian (also romanized as Shameen or Shamin, both from its Cantonese pronunciation) is a sandbank island in the Liwan District of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

The island is the location of several hotels, a youth hostel, restaurants and tourist shops selling curios and souvenirs.

[1] From the 18th to the mid 19th century, the foreigners lived and did business in a row of houses known as the Thirteen Factories, on the banks of the Pearl River to the east the present Shamian,[3] which was then an anchorage for thousands of boat people.

[4][5] In 1859, Great Britain and France dug an artificial river (now called Shajichong) to the north, making it an island.

[4] Trading companies from Britain, the United States, France, Holland, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Japan built stone mansions along the waterfront.

[3] The construction on the island was characterized by climate-adapted but Western-plan detached houses with hipped roofs and large verandahs.

Huangsha Station of Guangzhou Metro is located within a short walk from the island, via an overpass crossing the busy Liu'ersan Road.

Shamian Island in the 1870s by Lai Afong
1920s map of "Shameen", showing the location of the British and French concessions
The West Bridge, also called the "English Bridge", in 1939
Buildings on Shamian Island in 2007
Former German consulate and Asiatic Petroleum Company building
White Swan Hotel
A public garden on Shamian Island
Statues on Shamian Island.