Shamian Island - Guanzhou
If you are looking for a quiet place to go in Guangzhou Shamian Island is the perfect escape from the crowds and traffic. Shamian has a colonial history. The French and British were given permission to set up warehouses. Fortunately many of the original buildings remain and have been restored.
The area has a number of cafes, restaurants and shops. It seems like a popular spot for locals to get their wedding photos done. The ‘island’ is separated from the mainland by a narrow canal and can be easily reached from Huangsha station on the Guangzhou subway line.
This girl still had her jeans on under her wedding dress.
Not suprisingly, they even have a Starbucks.
The Bank of Taiwan was constructed in 1911.
The Lady of Lourdes is a Roman Catholic church built by the French in 1892.
This is a strange sign in front of the Lady of Lourdes church with a picture of the Last Supper alongside Mickey Mouse. Not sure what that is all about.
HiÔ?û
I come here via your post in JohoChow dot com.
You guy are doing a great job.
I am a Chinese student and living in Hefei, Anhui Provice now.
By the way, the Chinese dressed Mikey Mouse were used to let more people have a cordial feeling to the church. You will them in the Desiney Land in Hong Kong, also.
Anyway, I will see what China is like in your eyes.
Thanks for your comment. It is interesting to see the church using Mickey Mouse to attract people. Whatever works I suppose.
I was in Guangzhou a year ago and stayed in Victory Hotel on Sha Mian for two weeks. I went to the church across from the White Swan, but not this one (I’m not a Catholic).
For the picture above, one thing I notice that the Chinese character on the bulletin says “Happy Spring Festival — 2008 Year of the Rat.” I just realized that they are using Micky Mouse because this is the year of RAT! Next year is the year of cow, there is no Disney character equivalent — so it won’t look that weired.
I don’t think they are using Micky as a marketing tool. I am reading the contents on the post, it talks about the Holy Week, but nothing about Mickey.
One impression of Guangzhou (even the whole China) that I have — somehow everyone is very into “cute” and “kawaii” stuff, even guys do that. This post may be a tiny reflection of that.
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