It's free to enter. No need for any appointment

It’s open to the public, so entry is free 😊

Some work still in november but not that much, we visited during the day so cannot say how lite up it is, we just did a walk around.

No idea. Apologies

Many shops near the White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island. Don't purchase at the shops inside the hotel, as the prices are outrageous.

The White Swan Hotel has laundry service. It's on the Island.

Shamian island itself is so small so maybe look around nearby. Sorry, can't help more:)

The easiest way to get there by public transport is to take line 6 to 'Xunfenggang' and exit at 'Cultural Park' station. From there you just need to cross the junction towards south and there lies the island. You can also take the river boats which stop either behind 'Haizhu Square' or at the fishmarket west to Shamian island. They start at Canton TV Tower (also a metro station of Line 3 to 'Panyu') and stop near Sun Yat Sen University and Beijing Road. They are quite keen in price and pretty fast. A nice view awaits you while traveling on the river, enjoying the skyline of the south and north shores. Several Bus lines depart from a final destination at a nearby bus station lying between 'Haizhu Square' and 'Shamian Island'.