Qilou Buildings & Shamian Scenic Spot

Qilou Buildings 广州骑楼

The history of commercial arcade building can be dated back to ancient Greece some 2,000 years ago; it then became popular in Europe and was introduced to the world only in recent times.

Guangzhou is among the first coastal cities to embrace foreign culture and begin modernization. During the Ming and Dynasties, it was the only commercial port. The commercial buildings of "the thirteen hong" are considered the earliest model of the later Qilou buildings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, when the city government began to widen the roads, this 18th century western architectural style was blended with the traditional Cantonese construction features, thus giving birth to the unique Qilou buildings.   【more about Qilou Buildings】

Shamian Scenic Spot 沙面

Located on the north bank of the Pearl River's White Goose Pool, Shamian is an oval islet, covering a tiny area of 0.3 sq. meters. Thanks to the many buildings of Western classicism on the island, it has recently been designated as a key protected relic of the state, and is called the 'Ninth Sight of Guangzhou'. Shamian used to be an alluvion made by the Pearl River, called Zhongliusha and Shicuizhou in the early stage. 
【more about Shamian Scenic Spot】

Source: www.lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Shanna Chu