Shamian Island, Guangzhou: Hours, Address, Shamian Island Reviews: 4.5/5
Shamian Island
Shamian Island
4.5
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
About
This lovely, tree-lined neighborhood bordering the Pearl River was once home to foreign merchants, and today is a laid-back area ideal for strolling or stopping for a meal or cup of tea.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience Shamian Island
The area
How to get there
- Huangsha • 6 min walk
- Cultural Park • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,745 within 3 miles
Starbucks (ShaMian)
251
23 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Orient Express French restaurant
260
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Steakhouse • Vegetarian Friendly
LuSi JiuBa Restaurant
108
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • International
Qiaomei Languifang (Shamian)
36
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
TaoRan Xuan (ShaMian)
39
433 ft$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Jiao Mei Restaurant (Shamian)
15
375 ft$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Cantonese
XiGuan Yue
7
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Cantonese
Wu Cai Ji Mian Jia
17
0.3 mi$ • Chinese
Bai Tian E Mei Shi Wu
4
476 ft
You XingQi (ShaMian)
10
466 ft$ • Chinese • Cantonese
Attractions
298 within 6 miles
ShaMian ZhanLanGuan
3
292 ftSpeciality Museums
Qingping Medicine Market
148
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Shopping Malls
Haizhu Square
40
0.2 miShopping Malls
Pearl River (Zhujiang)
692
0.3 miBodies of Water
White Swan Pond
5
0.3 miBodies of Water
Huangsha aquatic product trading Market
38
0.3 miFlea & Street Markets
HuaGuang TaoCi YiShu HuiGuan
321 ftSpeciality Museums
Guangzhou Cultural Park
88
0.5 miParks
Guangzhou Cultural Park Flower Fair
5
0.4 miCultural Events
Ping'an Opera
2
0.4 miTheaters
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,948 reviews
Excellent
881
Very good
764
Average
251
Poor
41
Terrible
11
Stephen C
1,075 contributions
Friends
Located about 8km away from downtown is the Shamian island. This place is a cluster of colonial buildings and the area served as a cluster for embassies and also a maritime in the early 1900s.
It is now converted into an artsy place with cafes and bistros. Photo buffs will visit, and newly weds come to have their bridal photos taken.
It is now converted into an artsy place with cafes and bistros. Photo buffs will visit, and newly weds come to have their bridal photos taken.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HowardPH
Sydney68 contributions
Well worth a walk around for 1.5 hours. Colonial area with walking streets, cafes and parks. Nice courtyard at Starbucks for a break. Toilets in the modern hotel if you poke around. Ask your hotel to write the destination in Cantonese, and tap the taxi meter to remind the driver to turn it on.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
eyeung
Toronto, Canada10 contributions
Couples
Took taxi from our hotel to the island. Nice strolling along the well marked avenues with many cafes along the way. It wasn’t crowded on Tuesday late morning. There are still lots of historical buildings to see (former foreign embassies) now converted to hotels and offices. A place to take it easy, leisurely read a book or take some photos. We spent an hour here and walked 15 min back to the subway station.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert E
3 contributions
Was a treasure to find this oasis preserved and fully functional. Great escape to walk the cobbled streets and look at how life was for some anyway. Found a great restaurant with authentic Cantonese cuisine and friendly staff with enough English to advise and serve us with our non existent Chinese.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scott M
91 contributions
Couples
Loved Shamian Island. Started at Starbucks, worked our way to the water front park, then up and down streets. Great people watching, great photo opportunities, fun shops (especially the arts and crafts shop) and good food options. Love the colonial charm.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Yekaterinburg, Russia64,096 contributions
Friends
We enjoyed an afternoon walk around Shamian Island, and it tree shaded streets. The best part was walking on the central pedestrian walkway which extends through the central part of this man-created island, for at one time it was not separated by water from the main portion city. On this visit, I concentrated on viewing the many beautiful bronze statues which are on the main pedestrian walkway and its side streets.
Written April 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Yekaterinburg, Russia64,096 contributions
Came for an afternoon walk to enjoy the local scenery, comprised mainly of mansions, former embassy buildings, restaurants, cafes, and lots of bronze statues, We stopped at one of the cafes, and had drinks and delicious ice creams.
Written May 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Adventurer17330
Portsmouth in the United Kingdom1 contribution
I regularly visit Shamian Island in Guangzhou, and it is a place to wander around and feel the atmosphere of years ago. There are many places to eat, sit and watch the river traffic or just savour the view. The White Swan Hotel is just one of several and worth a visit You do not have to be an expert to appreciate what Shamian must have been like many years ago, and today, some of the buildings are being renovated. There are many interesting metal statues to look at depicting times gone by which have been donated by the Bank of China. The White Swan Hotel contains a really superb bookshop with many books in English about the Island and China.
Lucy's is a good place for a beer, coffee or meal and reasonably priced but the appeal of Shamian is in the many buildings, they vary and all have a metal plaque giving some information.
I love the place, and do not agree with a previous visitor that it is boring. I aways get the bus there, or walk there, and it is a haven of peace in a rather noisy and boisterous City. The river view there is particularly pleasant. Do not miss it, take your time and explore it and get a feel for the past. Read about it and get a map,
Lucy's is a good place for a beer, coffee or meal and reasonably priced but the appeal of Shamian is in the many buildings, they vary and all have a metal plaque giving some information.
I love the place, and do not agree with a previous visitor that it is boring. I aways get the bus there, or walk there, and it is a haven of peace in a rather noisy and boisterous City. The river view there is particularly pleasant. Do not miss it, take your time and explore it and get a feel for the past. Read about it and get a map,
Written February 9, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
InnaYYZ
Toronto, Canada1,489 contributions
To some degree this is a sad area. It is a reminder of the French and English who tried dominating China in years gone past. Nice area for a morning or afternoon. Lots of cafes and restaurants. The Starbucks is in one of the historical buildings.
Written August 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CanadianExpat2009
Canada25 contributions
Great place to go when youve had enough of the busy Guangzhou city life. And only a quick 5 minute walk from the metro.
Dont expect anything extrodinary. But there is alot of cool architecture with a kind of 'new orleans' feel to it.
Cobble street roads
A really rustic looking Starbucks with a nice outdoor patio. Or grab a coffee to go while you walk around this nice scenic area.
A Deli shop where you can get some good baked items and ice cream.
Lots of art gallerys.
A nice moderatley priced western restaurant inside an old train trolly from Shanghai.
And make sure to take the ferry back across the river for only 1.5 rmb! cant beat it!
Dont expect anything extrodinary. But there is alot of cool architecture with a kind of 'new orleans' feel to it.
Cobble street roads
A really rustic looking Starbucks with a nice outdoor patio. Or grab a coffee to go while you walk around this nice scenic area.
A Deli shop where you can get some good baked items and ice cream.
Lots of art gallerys.
A nice moderatley priced western restaurant inside an old train trolly from Shanghai.
And make sure to take the ferry back across the river for only 1.5 rmb! cant beat it!
Written January 19, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
felistus chirwa
Ji'an, China2 contributions
How do u make an appointment to enter shamian Island or i just have to go in person and they will allow me entry?
mubashir_tuf
Shenzhen, China19 contributions
It's free to enter. No need for any appointment
felistus chirwa
Ji'an, China2 contributions
I hear u have to book an appointment and how do u get there from Guangzhou railway station
felistus chirwa
Ji'an, China2 contributions
How much per head to visit shamian?
Carla
Guangzhou, China13 contributions
It’s open to the public, so entry is free 😊
lifesucketh
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia762 contributions
Hi.
Read that there were some on-going construction works in Shamian island.
Are those works still ongoing now ?
Heading to GZ over XMas period.
Thanks.
zdaati
Vienna, Austria3,382 contributions
Some work still in november but not that much, we visited during the day so cannot say how lite up it is, we just did a walk around.
Johnmagfam
Singapore, Singapore248 contributions
Any English speaking church on Shamain street? Whats the service time? Planning to go tomorrow 16 Dec. morning. Appreciate a fast reply fromu guys here!!
MickExplorer
Gold Coast, Australia87 contributions
No idea. Apologies
Anna M
Dunedin, New Zealand19 contributions
I would like to buy some Chinese silk fabric while in Guangzhou. We are staying near Shamian Island. Also where is the best place to find cashmere garments. We are flying there today
Thanks
Donald F
Milwaukee, WI81 contributions
Many shops near the White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island. Don't purchase at the shops inside the hotel, as the prices are outrageous.
Gibbsystravels
Perth, Australia3 contributions
does anyone know where to get our laundry done on Shamian island? a name an address please : )
RoadTrippingWests
Portland, OR93 contributions
The White Swan Hotel has laundry service. It's on the Island.
Gibbsystravels
Perth, Australia3 contributions
Where can I get our laundry done on Shamian Island?
thanks : )
noorar744
Helsinki, Finland63 contributions
Shamian island itself is so small so maybe look around nearby. Sorry, can't help more:)
bala2015
Dongguan, China
How do I get there using public transportation?
LEM3428
Guangzhou, China102 contributions
The easiest way to get there by public transport is to take line 6 to 'Xunfenggang' and exit at 'Cultural Park' station. From there you just need to cross the junction towards south and there lies the island. You can also take the river boats which stop either behind 'Haizhu Square' or at the fishmarket west to Shamian island. They start at Canton TV Tower (also a metro station of Line 3 to 'Panyu') and stop near Sun Yat Sen University and Beijing Road. They are quite keen in price and pretty fast. A nice view awaits you while traveling on the river, enjoying the skyline of the south and north shores. Several Bus lines depart from a final destination at a nearby bus station lying between 'Haizhu Square' and 'Shamian Island'.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shamian Island
- Shamian Island is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- We recommend booking Shamian Island tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 48 Shamian Island tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Shamian Island:
- Guangzhou city tour and Pearl River day cruise with a local guide (From $139.00)
- Local Guangzhou private tour guide service with car (From $150.00)
- Private Historical Tour: Guangzhou City Sightseeing Including Lunch (From $149.00)
- Private Customized Guangzhou Layover Tour with Dim-Sum Meal (From $206.67)
- Private Guangzhou full day sightseeing tour from morning to evening (From $185.00)
- Hotels near Shamian Island:
- (0.04 mi) Guangdong Victory Hotel
- (0.13 mi) White Swan Hotel
- (0.05 mi) 7 Days Inn (Guangzhou Huangsha)
- (0.07 mi) Guangdong Youth Hostel
- (0.08 mi) Sha Mian Hotel
- Restaurants near Shamian Island:
- (0.00 mi) Starbucks (ShaMian)
- (0.08 mi) TaoRan Xuan (ShaMian)
- (0.07 mi) Jiao Mei Restaurant (Shamian)
- (0.09 mi) Bai Tian E Mei Shi Wu
- (0.09 mi) You XingQi (ShaMian)
- Attractions near Shamian Island:
- (0.06 mi) ShaMian ZhanLanGuan
- (0.13 mi) Qingping Medicine Market
- (0.17 mi) Haizhu Square
- (0.31 mi) Pearl River (Zhujiang)
- (0.27 mi) White Swan Pond