Shamian Island

Shamian Island is a small island in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, southern China. Administratively, Shamian Island is part of the Liwan District of Guangzhou. The island, which covers an area of 0.29 km², is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Guangzhou. Shamian Island was originally two separate islands, Shamian and Tangji Island. Shamian was the smaller of the two and was used as a military garrison. In 1859, the two islands were merged by the British to create a single island. Shamian Island became a treaty port after the First Opium War and was used by the British, French, Americans, and other foreigners as a place to reside and do business. The island was opened to Chinese civilians in the 1880s. Shamian Island is now a popular tourist destination for its colonial architecture and its natural scenery. The island is home to a number of hotels, restaurants, and bars.