Guangzhou was our gateway into China — just the four of us: Rene, Kim, Aiden and Lucas.

Arriving into Guangzhou, the sheer size hits you first. This isn’t just a big city — it’s a sprawling megacity built on more than 2,000 years of history, now layered with relentless modern growth. Yet it is super clean everywhere and despite all the traffic it is super quiet due to everyone driving electric bikes and cars.

First stop in the morning was Shamian Island. Walking onto Shamian Island feels like stepping into Europe. Tree-lined streets, colonial mansions, quiet cafés — it couldn’t be more different from the rest of the city.

But this place carries a complicated history. After the Opium Wars in the 19th century, this small island was carved out and divided between British and French control, becoming a foreign enclave in China.

What remains today is a fascinating blend of cultures — European architecture, Chinese life, and a sense of calm that feels almost surreal in a city like this.

For us, it was one of those rare travel moments where everything slows down. The boys could wander, Kim could soak in the atmosphere, and I found myself drawn to the history that I have read about in numerous books.

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