A bit of ShaMian Island

ShaMian Island is a very nice little place.  It's prabably only about 4 blocks by 10 blocks in size and very walkable.  It, like the rest of Guangzhou, is under significant spit and polishing.  The 2010 Asian Games are in Guangzhou this year and the government is facelifting every building that faces the main streets and highways.  That is a city of 12 million and they are facelifting tons of buildings!  It's amazing.  Many of the buildings on ShaMian Island are shrouded in scaffolding and tarps as this work goes on.  Many of the streets on the island are being redone with better rain drainage and also many of the sidewalks are being replaced with polished granite.  It's crazy to think of the expense.  So I will add some pics of the island we took today.  I have to do it in two posts.  Also, I did another post just before this on the market so be sure to check that out.  The pics in the park of the people gathered are playing hacky sack with an oversized shuttle-cock from badmitten.  I think I mentioned that when in Taiyuan.  It is extremely popular.