The British Island In The Centre Of China 🇨🇳

Shamian Island, previous known as Zhongliusha or Shicuizhou, is an elliptic sandbar in the Liwan District of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. The island's name literally means "sandy surface" in Chinese. Surrounded by water, it is just like a giant ship mooring alongside the wharf. Get further and one will find that Shamian Island is carefully planned. Three east-west avenues, Shamian Avenue, Shamian North Avenue and the South Avenue, and five north-south streets, Shamian Street 1 to the Street 5 divide the whole area into 12 parts, with various buildings, namely White Swan Hotel, Shamian Hotel, and Poland Consulate in Guangzhou, scattered around.
#china #travelvlog #travel
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[@xuehanjiang3474]

One correction, the "japanese fish" you mentioned actually originated from China, which is called 锦鲤 in chinese, and China has thousands of years of cultivating this fish. The japanese they got this fish from china in Tang dynasty, as well as most of things nowadays ppl think that are from Japan, such as sakura. After recieved it from China, Japanese cultivated it continuously and spread it to the world. Unfortunately Because japan opened to the west earlier in the mordern history, so this fish is called koi fish by its japanese name and ppl think it is a culture signature of Japan. It is sad that when it comes to the eastern asian culture, many great cuturals things and creations ppl keep thinking they are from japan and korea, but actually almost all of them are from China.🥲

[@kuloglu6311]

You are absolutely right

[@PS-383]

Same story for bonsai which was developed from the traditional Chinese art form of penjing (盆景) when this art was first introduced from China to Japan during the Tang dynasty where penjing (盆景) was at its height.

[@PaddyMan1988]

Same as the flower Sakura. It’s originally come from Himalayas and spread out to northern area. It’s reached out to east side of China, then Korea, finally to Japan.

[@user-ii6nr7gw7s]

Imitation of Chinese temples, theft of Chinese lantern production, Japanese clothing originating from China, replication of Chinese gardens. So Japan and South Korea are defined by the Chinese as things without their own national culture, everything is new, and they dare to promote their own culture to the outside world.

[@user-ii6nr7gw7s]

Imitation of Chinese temples, theft of Chinese lantern production, Japanese clothing originating from China, replication of Chinese gardens. So Japan and South Korea are defined by the Chinese as things without their own national culture, everything is new, and they dare to promote their own culture to the outside world.

[@THB1945]

Don't forget to try out the wonderful Cantonese cuisine like roast goose, cheung fun, shrimp dumpling, etc. Have a great Chinese New Year ! ! !

[@GodsDad98]

烧鹅好吃😋

[@dlcc012david]

For your information those r China Koi fish n Koi fish in Japan r bought in from China

[@haniahannslew4108]

Totally cor

[@haniahannslew4108]

Completely correct

[@shsk4656]

😂😂👎👎Sorry. That's not Japanese fish. The Japanese KOI fish is ORIGINAL from CHINA.

[@kenyup7936]

red envelop , happy lunar new year

[@RevalinaAlways]

Dayum 👍

[@alessiii58]

大佬🎉

[@u16888]

Lunar new year is 7/6/2024. 2/10 is Chinese New year 😂🎉

[@explorerStar]

新年快乐 🎉🎉🎉

[@alastairmaclean6320]

Chinese New Year of the Dragon, stop trying to cancel Chinese culture.

[@minchen5187]

Happy New Year mate.

[@alanshannon3884]

Thank you so so much!! Happy new year 🐉🐉

[@minchen5187]

My Pleasure. Keep up the excellent work. Cheers.

[@TheMsgodzilla]

I am born and raised in Guangzhou. And OMG, half of my childhood was spent in White Swan Hotel in the 80's. My mom was worked for a Dutch company which rented a permanent room there as their office. I am half Cantonese and knew Shamain very well. This is incredible to see.

[@kimjongun2062]

you born and raised in Guangzhou,you should call yourself cantonese not half cantonese.

[@haniahannslew4108]

@@kimjongun2062 I think he wanted to say that he is a mixed kid.

[@jplin888]

I have stayed at the White Swan hotel 3 times and it was around £90 per night during low season and maybe room rate is high because its the high season ( Chinese New Year) Enjoy your trip in Guangzhou, lots of nice places to visit and lots of delicious cantonese food. Have fun! Take care! Cheers from HK 🇭🇰

[@josephma5039]

Nishikigoi, often called Koi fish or Japanese carp, are fish with colors and patches raised and kept for appreciation. The carp originates from China and was brought to Japan by means of gifts. Its first Japanese mention dates back to 71AD (of Koi held by the presumed legendary Emperor Keikō).

[@alastairmaclean6320]

Them fish in the 5 star hotel originate from China around the 5th century and it became known as the 'koi' carp fish when the Jaoanese had them in the 19th Century. They are actually Chinese in origin though, so to call them Japanese fish in China is like foreigners travelling in Scotland crediting Whiskies, Irn Bru and Haggis as English and dismissing the Scots.

[@haniahannslew4108]

Totally agree

[@Blasian-Couple]

Beautiful stuff ❤❤❤

[@user-dn8we2oc6p]

Happy new year！

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

Must-experience delicacies in Guangzhou, Shunde roast goose, clay pot rice, rice rolls, morning tea, fish rolls, coconut chicken soup， double skin milk，Ginger milk，Claypot eel rice，Seafood Hot Pot Porridge，Hot Pot Porridge

[@k.k.c8670]

For many, many years, back during Imperial times, Guangzhou (Canton) was the only place foreigners could come trade with China.

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

Not really . Arabs and Persians used the land trade routes in Central Asia .

[@k.k.c8670]

@@peekaboopeekaboo1165 you are right. I was referring to naval / Western powers

[@ctourmaline]

​@@k.k.c8670 You are talking about qing dynasty. He is talking about tang dynasty. lol😂

[@josephguo6256]

福建，知冇？

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

@@josephguo6256 Arabs and Persians came by land route first ... later on, by sea route .

[@kzdhcster]

In fact, a lot of Japanese culture was passed down from China's Tang Dynasty. Japanese culture was deeply influenced by China's Tang Dynasty culture. It should be said that some Japanese culture is very similar to China. The envoys sent to the Tang Dynasty were the official envoys sent by Japan to the Tang Dynasty from the 7th to the 9th century, and became the carrier of the spread of Chinese culture in Japan at its peak. The records of Japan end with the first dispatch of envoys to the Tang Dynasty, while the records of Japan begin with the seventh dispatch of envoys to the Tang Dynasty.

[@Hoo88846]

Yes, their contemporary periods were Nara Period and Heian Period which saw a sudden blossoming of “Japanese culture”, all due to kentoushi 遣唐使 or envoys to Tang Dynasty importing the Chinese Tang culture back to Japan. They basically copied in areas of music and art, science and technology, religion and philosophy, fashion, cuisine, medicine, architecture, government set up, literature and language. This is why Nara and Kyoto, the capitals for these two periods, were built based on the model of Chang’an, modern day Xi’An, the Tang capital. Google search for “Japanese missions to imperial China” and “Japanese missions to Tang Dynasty”.

[@haniahannslew4108]

Totally agree. Bonsai, green tea, matcha, mochi, kimono, flower arrangements, Chinese ancient architectures, basically almond everything Japan culture is from China. Japanese cultures was like a blank sheet, has nothing original from Japan. They had no culture. They took everything from China but invaded their motherland/master and brutal to their master. This is for sure to us that they didn’t have culture and that is why they have savage mind.

[@tpwong5329]

You were so lucky that the place was quiet. My family went there on the 13th February. It was crowded everywhere. Got to head back for my work in Hong Kong last night. I missed you guys.

[@YLYLMR]

Happy New Year to couple Alan Shannon love you both

[@kimmurphy3713]

Grest video!

[@victorting7136]

Did you go back to China? Nice to see real travellers sharing their experience in visiting China.

[@edisonwong8870]

昨天晚上，广州有烟火表演，你们去看了吗？There was a fireworks show in Guangzhou last night. Did you go to see it?

[@Kevin-ml2ct]

I have watched almost all of your videos and now I have a suggestion for you:Street side snacks are mostly prepared for people rushing to work and those going out to play at night,true Chinese cuisine requires visiting those local specialty restaurants.Wishing you a pleasant journey！

[@alanshannon3884]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Kevin-ml2ct]

@@alanshannon3884 You are Welcome.

[@weekendadventure9585]

Great that you discovered Shamian Island. Nice! I remember the Starbucks there too! 😂

[@seanbolster1787]

Got married in the little church close by to that Green Starbucks in your video. It's me Sean that ye met in my pub Hooley's 😊

[@lizz7805]

thanks for showing this quaint island, guangzhou was the first city opened up for global trade since ming dynasty, you can see western trails here and there in old guangzhou.

[@worldtravelimagesnet]

Was in Guangzhou once and visited Shamian Island the first day, it was very beautiful!

[@114chinese]

希望看看你们去长沙玩呢，有臭豆腐，湘菜，奶茶这些美味的东西吃😊

[@Yanyu.1209]

哈哈哈哈 几乎所有外国人都受不了臭豆腐

[@nancylin4366]

Cute! ❤

[@johnkiel1000]

❤❤❤❤

[@holung1772]

Glad to see you two lovely couple came over to Guangzhou. I do recommend going to Liwan where you can experience 50 years of change within 3 km radius 1. Chen jia ci probably one of the oldest historical places to visit in Guangzhou 2. Li wan lake park which is about 2km walk from Chen jia ci 3.li zhi wan it is right next to the park 4. Yong Qing Fang a old blvd rebuilt to modern standards 5. Up down nine -What premium Guangzhou looks like 20 years ago. 6.Old cigarettes factory located opposite of “Chen jia ci” now it is being stripped down in 5 months and fully rebuilt into a massive food court

[@johnyyffeng-fs9xm]

coorect, some of the places are very near to 沙缅, i assumed they had been there.

[@leo3325]

Your guys’ accent is so cute! From Glasgow? I guess. I was trying to understand…

[@alanshannon3884]

Yes we are from Glasgow

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

Shunde roast goose is the most famous delicacy in Guangzhou. Many Canadians and Australians will fly there to eat it.

[@chiyiu0815]

Did you have dim sum in this hotel? It's also one of the top restaurants in GZ.

[@johnyyffeng-fs9xm]

你们俩好可爱哦

[@114chinese]

为啥 KZbin 画质这么感人🤔

[@DucaTech]

Another thing the Brits & French did was the destruction of Yuan Mingyuan, aka the Old Summer Palace destroyed in 1860.

[@hippocreation]

Do you know why Brits destroyed Yuan Mingyuan, which serves as a summer retreat for royals and located in a remote place? Hint: summer retreat was not a place to stack treasures.

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

Guangzhou delicacies foods chinese name -- 顺德烧鹅、煲仔饭、肠粉、早茶、鱼卷、椰子鸡汤，双皮奶，撞姜奶，黄鳝煲仔饭，海鲜火锅粥，火锅粥

[@gentoffire]

Starbucks totally rips you off here in China. I'm out with Manner and Luckin or Indie coffee shops most of the time now. Difficult to understand but love your accent!

[@user-vs9lf2gt9k]

The restaurant of the White Swan Hotel has top-notch morning tea "dianxin", which is highly recommended. When coming to Guangzhou, be sure to eat it, otherwise it will be regrettable.

[@DucaTech]

If you go to Tianjin, there's the Marco Polo Square. Lots of European architectures in Tianjin.

[@roxdal9613]

their accent amused me🙏😁

[@ericlam612]

welcome to Guangzhou,my hometown

[@KenCheng-nj1ju]

Guangzhou Swan hotel is open to anyone to visit and wander around. I’m from gz

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Chinese, you can show the Chinese names of these foods to the shop assistants and they will tell you

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

clay pot rice, rice rolls, morning tea, fish rolls, coconut chicken soup， double skin milk，Ginger milk，Claypot eel rice，Seafood Hot Pot Porridge，Hot Pot Porridge It is also a must experience

[@kuenchik9072]

Thanks guys. Great vid. I went to the White Swan 38 years ago. Back then China was still very poor and the security guards wouldn't let people in unless they were visibly foreigners or could show they had a restaurant booking.

[@alanshannon3884]

It definitely is a tourist attraction now, it was so busy but worth the visit

[@ITeachChinese]

The White Swan Hotel, the Queen of England stayed here in 1986, and US Presidents Nixon, Bush and German Chancellor Schroeder also stayed here.

[@nicky12951]

From the latter half of the 19th century until the first half of the 20th century, China existed in a semi-colonial state. Although it was not like India which was a colony under full control of a foreign power. Major foreign powers (which included France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia, United States, etc) coerced the Chinese government into ceding territory and establishing spheres of influence. These ceded lands came to be known as concessions. You can still find lot of European architectures in these old concession areas. For a list of these concessions you can search a key word like "Foreign concessions in China".

[@RichardLee-bm2xh]

So would you guys go to Hong Kong as well?

[@IDarkness-_-I]

Check out the zoo in the city. Chimelong

[@user-lf6ss1nu1d]

Do you see the super fireworks show at 8:00pm?

[@johnyyffeng-fs9xm]

你俩下一站去哪里提前公布一下，我好给你们建议，我全国各地都游遍了，能够帮到你们

[@crazyjohnhoward]

Love your China series. I couldn't believe how developed and clean China is

[@alanshannon3884]

Glad you like them!

[@thomaswong9450]

reminds me of the NatWest branch

[@letisriva8581]

Very unique experience! Thanks for exploring the European influence on Chinese culture ❤

[@rubadub79]

4:37 Did the kid live?

[@PeterSzeto-es6em]

Haven't been to Starbucks for years, and I don't intend to go there any time soon.

[@allenli7387]

走得离旋转门前那边太近门会停止😂

[@bang4buck326]

Yes a testament of British culture in China, likewise, the British museum is a testament of Chinese culture in UK. Lovely....

[@user-mm5yq7kh6m]

广州很多好吃的

[@hongbinli242]

Happy Chinese new year! As Local Guangzhou live in Sheffield. I dont think Shamian Island is the best tourist spot for Brits; it's just ordinary British-style architecture which is quite normal😂😂. I suggest going for a night cruise along the Pearl River and visiting the area around the Canton Tower at night time only.

[@af7217]

Make sure you have Dim Sum.

[@Devildemon74]

Please go to Shenzhen

[@preciousjewels5921]

Its a statue of a boy posting the letter, not a girl. Back in those days the boys/men have pigtails

[@dearcoolz]

the historian Joseph Edkins pointed out that, unlike China, Japan had never invented anything like paper, printing, gunpowder, or the compass. And many of the things that we (at least Westerners) associate with the Japanese had their origin in China, like origami, bonsai tree cultivation, and tea ceremonies. Other things that we know are Chinese, like noodles, tofu, soy sauce, pagoda architecture, silk cultivation and weaving, porcelain, and papermaking, deeply influenced and helped define Japanese culture.

[@monipenny408]

well the Japanese did invent the infamous Unit 731

[@haniahannslew4108]

Exactly. To be correct, Japan didn’t have anything called culture. Their culture is like a blank page. Japanese culture is Chinese culture. Same like Vietnam. Vietnam’s culture is 99% originally taken, imitate or copy from China.

[@haniahannslew4108]

@@monipenny408 They are savage. They don’t know what gratefulness means. They take and use Chinese culture. Instead of thanking China as their mother for giving them the culture, they brutally and cruelly hurt China.

[@lalalalalalala127]

There are so many comments talking about the fish. I definitely agree with them. Indeed, there are so many things and concepts that appears to be Japanese or Korean that is actually from china. I agree with one comment which says Japan and Korean are open to modern western world far more early than china is. There are so many comments claiming that this is originated from china and that is originate from china. Don’t get offended, because these are the truth. I know china did not that well in promoting is own culture to the rest of the world. But it doesn’t mean now it is too late. We really want to promote and let you guys understand more about Chinese culture and history.

[@user-jw5mf7xw5t]

The status of 2:33, it is a boy. Men had long hair with braid in Qing Dynasty, which was the tradition of Jurchen people for men, who ruled China during Qing Dynasty.

[@LTBOA]

你好

[@johnyyffeng-fs9xm]

建议去泮溪酒家吃地道的广式早茶

[@jsc3417]

The Koi fish you see in Japanese ponds are brought there by Chinese.

[@rogernguyen1273]

Before saying it is from Japan or Korea make sure first if it is not From China

[@candyhahahawen2960]

Are you still in Guangzhou? Do you want to attend a banquet in rural Guangzhou?

[@alanshannon3884]

We have left now, would have been amazing though!

[@candyhahahawen2960]

I'm sorry to hear this news, and I hope you will come to Guangzhou next time. You can come back in June, and I can take you to pick lychees

[@candyhahahawen2960]

I am in the countryside on the outskirts of Guangzhou, and we are most famous for lychees, and I welcome you to come to Guangzhou again in June.

[@candyhahahawen2960]

In mid-to-late June

[@lis9462]

Guangzhou was the only gateway to have open trading with foreigners for several hundred years from Ming dynasty to Qing dynasty.Shishanhang was the only company able to trade with. This kind of isolation was the reason for The Hundred years Humiliation of China.

[@simicsin9423]

The bridge where you are located is located at Road 623, named to commemorate the Shaji tragedy.In 1925, workers in Hong Kong and Guangzhou held general strikes on June 19th and 21st respectively to support the May 30th anti-imperialist movement in Shanghai. Britain, France and other countries sent warships to threaten by force. On June 23, more than 100,000 people from all walks of life in Guangdong held a demonstration meeting on aiding Shanghai in Dongjiaochang. In the afternoon parade, when the procession arrived at Shaji on the other side of Shamian Concession, the imperialist troops in the Concession shot at the masses and the warships fired their guns to cheer, resulting in a tragedy in which 52 people were killed, more than 170 people were seriously injured and countless minor injuries were caused. After the tragedy, mass organizations from all walks of life, the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang and the Guangdong Provincial Government protested against imperialist crimes such as Britain and France. Guangdong Negotiation Department replied to the British and French consular notes and put forward five solemn demands. On July 11th, 100,000 people in Guangzhou paid a public sacrifice to Shaji martyrs.

[@reynoldliao7462]

😂That’s a little boy at the mail box wearing the traditional men’s braided hair during the qin dynasty…

[@pacoaaron2526]

Been there like 20 times used to be a consulate complex

[@geechan4744]

QE II post box should be made by the People’s Republic of China since Lisbeth did not ascend the throne till ‘52, three years after the PRC ruled.

[@lchen28]

What? Japanese fish?

[@yonight6871]

What a rare opportunity to come to China's most famous food city-Guangzhou, you must go to various restaurants to eat more delicious food.Guangzhou is most famous for its food, not for its buildings and shopping malls. The content of the video must not be based on architecture, but on food.

[@littleowlbooks8514]

Elizabeth Rigia? What's that?

[@alanshannon3884]

Queen Elizabeths initials!

[@littleowlbooks8514]

​@@alanshannon3884Its pronounced re- gai- na . Its not her " initials" Regina is Latin for Queen. I'm not a royalist but come on ! Get it right at least.

[@haniahannslew4108]

WRONG! Those are Chinese fish, NOT Japanese fish. Japan took those fish from China and then told the world the Chicken fish as Japanese fish. That is cultural appropriation and a lie.

[@PeterSzeto-es6em]

"... Japanese fish..." What an indictment of the British education!?

[@alanshannon3884]

Only ever heard them called Japanese Koi Fish mate its not that deep, its a fish

[@alanshannon3884]

Only ever heard them called Japanese Koi Fish mate its not that deep, its a fish

[@SCIFIGAMESFANS]

They are not expensive, less than 100 yuan

[@lumiachan852]

Japanese Fish... 😅😅😅

[@daisietrains9981]

2:25 that’s actually a statue of a little boy not girl! Males from the Qing dynasty wore a long braid in their hair. Manchurian tradition

[@globetrotterbengaluru]

I have a question. Is Scotland a country? I'm just having this debate with one guy who says Scotland is a country.

[@monipenny408]

No Scotland is part of UK, it was a country many centuries ago, but was defeated and colonized by the English just like Wales and Northern Island. You could argue UK was colonized by Germany, since the Royal Family were in fact traceable to Germanic bloodline called Saxo Gotha Coburg, but in order to complete the masquerade they renamed themselves as House of Windsor and many so called British don't even know it.

[@LinPug-cg6my]

My god, The former British Island in China is Hong Kong.

[@TheeCommentSection]

The Wikipedia twins 😂😂😂

[@user-lj1he5xv4f]

It's offensive to use the wrong word less of consideration

[@jiahe1770]

😂Nice video, but that was not a little girl with the postbox. He is a boy. In the 19th century, that was a traditional hair style for men, actually a mandatory hair style.

[@alanshannon3884]

Awww oops🤣 that’s interesting, do you know why it was mandatory?

[@jiahe1770]

@@alanshannon3884 I'm not an expert. 🤣 So that's all I know.

[@dicky-duck6632]

Forcing all men to wear braids was a symbol of the governing ethnic minorities of the Qing Dynasty, the Manchus, used to demonstrate the submission of all ethnic groups, including the majority Han people. Among all the modern revolutions in China, cutting off braids became a symbolic act of resistance against the rule of the Qing Dynasty @@alanshannon3884

[@goteyescansee]

It's the hairstyle of Manchurian men. The Manchus are the minority tribe from outside the Great Wall that ruled the Qing Dynasty, they had distinct styles compared to the majority Han Chinese, where men had the front portion of their heads shaved and the back portion had long braided hair. When they ruled China, all men and boys were made to follow the Manchu style in they dressing and hairstyling. It was not mandatory (I'm not sure) for women or monks to change their styles.

[@kuenchik9072]

​@@alanshannon3884 the Chinese emperors under the Qing dynasty were actually from Manchuria. The Manchu cue (or queue) is like a braided pony tail and all males in the empire had to conform.

[@chiyiu0815]

Some advice. Relative to this video, I think most of your audience prefer content about food adventure.

[@trueknight3744]

The Shamian island has a sad history. In 1925, British, French and Portuguese soldiers shoot dead of local civilians. This is called "The Shakee Mass@cre". The "623 Road" is commemorated this on the other side of island.

[@xma1582]

They want to copy Singapore but looks like in low end way.

[@user-cm2cg6iq9k]

Japanese koi originates from China, not a Japanese fish

[@michael511128]

I have to say this video didn’t find the central theme. If you showed the architecture and mentioned the Opium War, then you need to include telling the British made war to force China to import opium, that the British was bad. The building stand as monuments and reminders of the atrocities of imperialism and colonialism that the world despises. White Swan was built by late Hong Kong tycoon Henry Fok 霍英东, (not Henry Ford) at a time when HK was still a British colony, a prize of the 1940 Opium War.

[@qake2021]

👍👍🇧🇷🇷🇺🇮🇳🇨🇳🇿🇦➕️✌️👏👏

[@issang8678]

Is not found no people, because home for the New Year Ha Ha

[@hongqingxiang3374]

🙂🙏🙏🙂

[@weavebrain]

😅 Japanese fish?

[@qimingw.4367]

It is the history of shame.

[@zhangjin7179]

your trip in guangzhou is gonna be a fail, if you don't try the morning tea dim sum restaurant frequented by henry kissinger

[@zhangjin7179]

also luckin coffee or starbucks, in terms of taste?

[@yonight6871]

I checked the source of the fish, all from China. It's just that Japan's publicity is so good that foreigners think it's Japanese fish. In fact, China had it thousands of years ago. Later, it was introduced by Japan and made a lot of publicity.

[@monipenny408]

Japan have learnt well from U$ and UK, just keep repeating the same lie 24/7 and soon people will think it's a fact.