The old foreign enclave in Canton (the ‘Fanqui-town’ of ‘River of Smoke’) was burnt down in 1856. A new foreign enclave was then built on Shamian Island, formerly a mudbank. Here too there were several Indian residences.
The plaque in the right hand foreground reads:
2,4,6,8 South Shamian Street. Gazetted Building (B). Built during the Late Qing to Early Republican periods as the residence of Indian Nationals.
The building is on a shady street, just off the Pearl River.
I have been to Shamian but sorry to say that I have not paid close attention to this detail. Sea of Poppies and River of Smoke really bring me new insights about the city of Guangzhou. Your knowledge of the past of Guangzhou is intriguing!
That’s very kind of you! Guangzhou is a city with an amazing history.
best
Amitav