Shamian Island, Guangzhou
This small island 'oasis' in the middle of Guangzhou is less than a kilometer in length. It was a foreign concession after the opium wars where the British and French set up warehouses. Major renovations have restored many of the buildings to their original appearance, the gardens are spectucular and feature bronze statues at every turn. It was such a peaceful place in the middle of a bustling city. And we enjoyed free cookies and coffee every night at the Tulip Bar in our hotel while we played cards.
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. A... ... read more 
