A tourist takes photos on Shangchuan Island, a major tourist attraction in Jiangmen, Guangdong province. [Photo by Zheng Caixiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong, located on Shangchuan shows how the island had been an important transit station along the ancient maritime Silk Road. Many foreign merchant vessels arrived there to trade with local people when China closed its doors to the outside world.

In 1554, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) agreed with the Portuguese to host an annual trade fair on Shangchuan. Westerners mainly brought spices to Shangchuan and sold them to Chinese people, while purchasing silk and ceramics.

At the island's Dazhouwan archaeological site, many examples of ceramics have been unearthed, indicating that the island had been a trade center in earlier times.

In addition, many ancient merchant vessels that sank in the waters around Shangchuan and Xiachuan islands have been found in recent years.