Shamian in Guangzhou is a former concession island that was established by the French and British after the Second Opium War. This small island has some of the best preserved colonial architecture in Asia. It might also be the best 19th century historical site that isn’t a UNESCO World Heritage Site (yet). The island was […]
Notes on Guangzhou: A worthy stopover city beyond the trade fair
I was in Guangzhou on a stopover with China Southern Airlines. In addition to being a modern megacity, it also has some of the best preserved heritage architecture in Asia. It had been nine years since my last visit to Guangzhou. Nine years is a long time in modern China, and Guangzhou (like Shenzhen) seemed […]
The Aiqun Hotel – A budget hotel in a landmark building of Guangzhou, China
Hotel Name: Aiqun Hotel Address: 113 Yanjiang West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, China. The Aiqun Hotel is a historic landmark in Guangzhou, which I didn’t know at the time of my booking. I was just looking for somewhere to stay near the river in the old part of the city. The Aiqun (also spelled Oi […]



