On 5 March, my dad agreed to just spend 2 hours at the fair to let me indulge in a bit of sightseeing in Guangdong province's capital. Thank god for that. I have had enough of the bland exhibition food and jostling crowd packed into Pazhou halls.
After the morning at Pazhou, we went back to hotel to drop off our purchases and headed out to our first sport - Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family.
How to get there:
Chen Clan Academy Station on Metro line 1
Exit C or D
Currently, this complex houses Guangdong Folk Art Museum.
At a nearby eatery, we took a short break while enjoying chee cheong fun and wanton noodles for lunch. A short subway ride then took us to Huangsha Station. Shamian Island is located about 12-min walk away from Huangsha.
Shamian Island
How to get there:
Huangsha Station on Metro line 1 / 6
Exit F, then walk across the overpass and then cross the canal via bridge to Shamian Island
In 1859, after the two Opium Wars during the Qing Dynasty, Shamian Island was divided into two concessions - 3/5 belonged to the United Kingdom and the remaining 2/5 went to France. There are actually two bridges connecting this little island to the mainland with one in the British territory and the oneer in French district.
With tree-lined boulevards, stone mansions complete with huge verandahs, consulates, churches, schools, banks and office buildings, Shamian was home to a prosperous foreign enclave, where they lived and did business. Surrounded by mansions of various style - Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical - we could only imagine what life would have been liked in the 19th century China for the resident foreigners.
In 1949, however, these 150 buildings were turned into government offices, apartment blocks and factories. With the ongoing efforts to restore these structures to their former glory, Shamian is recognized as a cluster of the best preserved European architecture in China.
We then walked back to Huangsha Station, took metro to Haizhu Square Station and walked a couple of minutes towards Tianzi Wharf.
Tianzi Wharf
How to get there:
Haizhu Square Station on Metro line 2 / 6
Exit A
As the wharf was located at the intersection of Beijing Road and Yanjiang Road, we just strolled along Beijing Road towards the lively shopping area. If you are taking metro, directions are below:
Beijing Lu
How to get there:
Gongyuanqian Station on Metro line 1 / 2
Exit C
Beijing Road is a huge shopping area, which is cordoned off for only pedestrians with both brand names as well as locally produced merchandise. With shops lining several nearby alleyways, I don't think you can cover all there is on offer so you should plan ahead on the areas you want to check out.
While shopping, you can treat yourself to a huge variety of street food on offer too.
There are also pieces of history all the way from Tang Dynasty in the seventh century. Underground archeological sites of ancient walls pointed to the existence of this road since more than a thousand years ago. Since the seventh century till now, 10 additional layers were added to the original road surface.
After the morning at Pazhou, we went back to hotel to drop off our purchases and headed out to our first sport - Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family.
How to get there:
Chen Clan Academy Station on Metro line 1
Exit C or D
If you had been a fan of Chinese period drama, you would know that most of the young men from well-to-do families study history, philosophy, calligraphy, painting and martial arts in preparation for Imperial Exams. Those exams are the make-or-break moment - students were treated like royalty for passing these tests while they were scolded, nagged and looked down even by their own families if they fail.
Back in 1894 during Qing Dynasty, various Chen families in 72 counties of Guangdong province contributed funds to build an accommodation and study venue of the Chen family's descendants for the Imperial Examinations.
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is a symmetric complex of 19 buildings, covering 13,200 square meters. With intricate carvings found on wide range of materials from wood, ivory, stone, plaster, pottery and iron, we admired sophisticated Chinese artwork. We just couldn't imagine calling such a museum our home.
Currently, this complex houses Guangdong Folk Art Museum.
At a nearby eatery, we took a short break while enjoying chee cheong fun and wanton noodles for lunch. A short subway ride then took us to Huangsha Station. Shamian Island is located about 12-min walk away from Huangsha.
Shamian Island
How to get there:
Huangsha Station on Metro line 1 / 6
Exit F, then walk across the overpass and then cross the canal via bridge to Shamian Island
In 1859, after the two Opium Wars during the Qing Dynasty, Shamian Island was divided into two concessions - 3/5 belonged to the United Kingdom and the remaining 2/5 went to France. There are actually two bridges connecting this little island to the mainland with one in the British territory and the oneer in French district.
With tree-lined boulevards, stone mansions complete with huge verandahs, consulates, churches, schools, banks and office buildings, Shamian was home to a prosperous foreign enclave, where they lived and did business. Surrounded by mansions of various style - Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical - we could only imagine what life would have been liked in the 19th century China for the resident foreigners.
In 1949, however, these 150 buildings were turned into government offices, apartment blocks and factories. With the ongoing efforts to restore these structures to their former glory, Shamian is recognized as a cluster of the best preserved European architecture in China.
The French Catholic Chapel
Our Lady of Lourdes
Various bronze statues depict what life was like during those bygone era.
Lack of traffic jam and air pollution, coupled with shady tree-lined avenues as well as wide boulevards along vibrant flowerbeds, this tranquil neighborhood is a perfect choice for afternoon ramble.
According to Starbucks in Shamian Island, I am Miss :)
Tianzi Wharf
How to get there:
Haizhu Square Station on Metro line 2 / 6
Exit A
Oldest wharf on the Pearl River in Guangzhou
Fun Fact: Sun Yat Sen took a ferry from this port during his escape to Hong Kong.
Currently a whaft for Guangzhou waterbus as well as evening dinner cruises
As the wharf was located at the intersection of Beijing Road and Yanjiang Road, we just strolled along Beijing Road towards the lively shopping area. If you are taking metro, directions are below:
Beijing Lu
How to get there:
Gongyuanqian Station on Metro line 1 / 2
Exit C
While shopping, you can treat yourself to a huge variety of street food on offer too.
There are also pieces of history all the way from Tang Dynasty in the seventh century. Underground archeological sites of ancient walls pointed to the existence of this road since more than a thousand years ago. Since the seventh century till now, 10 additional layers were added to the original road surface.
Remember Sun Wu Kong the Monkey King from Chinese drama Journey To The West?
We were knackered at the end of our shopping at Beijing Lu. Browsing a delightful mix of international brands and local shophouses as well as navigating temptations of several appetizing street food was no easy feat.
As a reward for completing such a packed itinerary, we visited a small spa opposite our hotel for a much needed foot massage, before hitting the sack.
Adios!
As a reward for completing such a packed itinerary, we visited a small spa opposite our hotel for a much needed foot massage, before hitting the sack.
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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