The island of Whampoa lies in the Pearl River, seventy miles north of Macao and ten miles south of Canton. When Canton was designated the only port for trade, between 1757 and 1842, Whampoa became the busiest anchorage under the administration of Canton Customs.

Before entering Canton city, all foreign vessels had to drop anchor here to have the length of their vessels measured, pay their tonnage dues and customs duty, and unload their goods onto barges to be taken to the city.

This image shows Whampoa (Pazhou) pagoda, which was near Whampoa. Built in 1600, the pagoda was an important navigation mark for foreign merchant vessels between Canton and Whampoa. By the Europeans at Canton, the pagoda was recognized by the name of the Half-way pagoda.