Day 3 highlights: Strolled around Shamian Island for a few hours. How peaceful! Shamian (literal Chinese translation = "sandy surface" island) is a sandbank island in Guangzhou. According to Wikipedia "The territory was divided into two concessions given to France and the United Kingdom by the Qing government in the 19th century. The island is a gazetted historical area that serves as a tranquil reminder of the colonial European period, with quiet pedestrian avenues flanked by trees and lined by historical buildings". Definitely a contrast to last night's Zhujiang New Town! After Shamian Island, I found my way to nearby Qingping Medicine Market. Street after street after street of Chinese traditional medicine. I saw several shocked faces when I walked down the small alleyways...I don't think it's really a tourist hangout spot. (By the way, it's now day 3, and I still have only seen one other foreigner since I arrived). The locals offered me to sample some dried fungus(?), but I politely refused (sensitive stomach). The medicine street then led me to a "pet street". I just wanted to take those precious puppies home! Don't worry, those were not food, phew. The last stop of the day was Shang Jiu Shopping Street 上九路. You can see the street is lined with lots of decorations for the Chinese New Year. I will probably go back there on New Year's Day (February 8th) to see the parade. Time for some Afternoon Tea and a face mask. XO
Shamian Island
Qingping Medicine Market
"Pet Street"
Shang Jiu Pedestrian Street
