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Shamian Island: a hundred year scroll from the Pearl River sandbar to the World Architecture Expo
Shamian Island, a sandbank oasis in Guangzhou’s Pearl River, is China’s best-preserved colonial enclave. Once a 19th-century foreign concession, its tree-lined streets host 150+ European-style buildings—blending Baroque, Gothic, and Neoclassical designs. From 1859 to 1943, it served as a diplomatic and trading hub for Britain, France, and 13 other nations, earning the nickname "The West in the East." Today, it merges history with modern cafes, boutiques, and museums, offering a unique window into Guangzhou’s cosmopolitan past.