Shamian Island: An Open Air Museum of History in Guangzhou

#travelgram Shamian Island is separated from the mainland of Chuangzhou only by a narrow arm of the Pearl River, however, it creates the impression of a place far removed from it both in space and time. With its appearance, it recreates the appearance of Guangzhou in the era of European colonization. There are practically no traditional Chinese houses on the island, instead there are mansions decorated with stucco, characteristic of European architecture at the beginning of the last century, bridges, as if descended from a French Impressionist painting, numerous cafes, eateries and restaurants, two churches, Notre Dame de Lourdes and the Church of Christ, as well as a lot of greenery: boulevards, squares, parks. The island "rebooted" due to many tourist visits. Also, its chamber size, lack of transport and high-rise buildings, many trees and beautiful views of the Pearl River allow you to "slow down" and relax, while not breaking away from civilization. The distinctive appearance of Shamian Island is explained by its history. For almost a hundred years, the island belonged to the colonialists. It came under the jurisdiction of Great Britain and France in 1861, after the end of the Second Opium War. Thus, the island became a piece of Europe in Asia. The colonialists approached the development of their territory responsibly: they organized self-government, erected residential and administrative buildings, business offices, banks, hotels, even took care of the souls of their compatriots, built two churches, opened foreign consulates and official representative offices, including the Soviet one. When Shamian was handed back to China in 1949, several decades later authorities became convinced of its tourist attractiveness exactly as it is, and in 1996 recognized Shamian as an object of cultural significance. Shamian Island attracts not so much with specific sights as with the atmosphere and general impression. However, there is still something to see in it. The main of the three boulevards consists of attractions a little less than completely. Almost every building has commemorative plaques telling which country they were the consulate or representative office of. For example, the Soviet consulate was stationed in house No. 68. The former "house" of Soviet citizens looks beautiful, but does not stand out from the general row of mansions of the beginning of the last century. Currently, most of these buildings house cafes and restaurants, so if you wish, you can see them from the inside.