Shamian Island

If you are tired of the endless not-so-polite Chinese pushing you around from every direction or the just simply too many people, too many traffic, too much noise, too much everything in Guangzhou, a runaway place is available.

Just a short cab ride from Beijing Road, there's a little island called Shamian Island that will make you say, really? I'm in China? Don't believe? Look at some of the sights here.

Lady of Lourdes Chapel

Believe me now right? So this small little island is only about 0.3km square but is full of history background. This is the place that bear the mark of European presence in China. Back in the 18th and 19th century, when the Europeans came to China for trade, they lived and do business here. Then when they began their colonisation, this island proof to be a good and strategic place to protect themselves. There are many history and stories behind this island like Opium War etc but I'm just too lazy to read about it. I just wanna enjoy this slice of European feel in the middle of China.

This statues best explains East meet West

Swan Hotel, the First 5-star hotel in China

A street that has turn into souvenirs place

Actually today, we still see a lot of foreigners congregating in this island. They are mainly Americans staying here for weeks. They are here to adopt the Chinese baby girls that are unwanted due to the one-child-policy in China. The Chinese is the most superstitious and heartless people, abandoning their baby daughters so that they have another chance to bore a son to carry their family name. Sad but in Shamian Island, I see hope for these babies. I see couples carrying their newly adopted babies like the most precious thing they have ever have. And I can't help but finally smile, smile a happy smile for the babies and for the idea of 'there's always hope'.

A western facade embracing oriental beings within
Reminds me of those western couples carrying and caring the Chinese babies in their arms

Location : Guangzhou, China
Next, Pearl River Cruise