Tianjin: The Rising Star of North

Özgür Altınbaş
22 June 2025

📍 Tianjin, China – June 18, 2025
As part of CGTN’s “China Up Close” program, dozens of journalists from across the Asia-Pacific region embarked on a three-day immersive cultural tour of Tianjin, a city gaining prominence in northern China for its rich historical heritage and modern innovation.

🏛️ First Stop: Ancient Culture Street (Gu Wenhua Jie)

The tour began at Tianjin’s famed Ancient Culture Street, a vibrant showcase of Qing Dynasty-era folk architecture. Lined with blue-brick buildings, red lanterns, hand-carved wooden shutters, and painted windows, the street vividly reflects classical Chinese aesthetics.

Iconic landmarks include:

Yuhuangge Pavilion (Ming Dynasty), which still retains its original form and offers a panoramic view of the street.
Tong Qingli Residences (built in 1913), a unique fusion of Eastern and Western architecture.

🛍️ 100+ Traditional Craft Shops

Over 100 artisan shops line the street, offering:

Handmade souvenirs
Silk paintings, ceramics, and jade & copper-plated goods
Local highlights like Yangliuqing New Year woodblock prints
The famous “Clay Figure Zhang” ceramic figurines

The area evokes a living museum, with ancient calligraphy tools, traditional musical instruments, and colorful paper lanterns displayed openly.

🍜 Tianjin’s Rich Culinary Heritage

Tianjin is also renowned for its vibrant northern Chinese cuisine, which combines lightly sweet-savory flavors with a crunchy-soft texture profile.

Street food favorites include:

Goubuli steamed buns
Erduoyan fried rice cakes
Tianjin tea soup
Roasted chestnuts

These dishes reflect five centuries of culinary evolution, making Tianjin a must-visit destination for food lovers.

🎭 Tianjin Opera: A Cultural Gem

The second stop was the Tianjin Opera House, where the group experienced the deep-rooted tradition of Peking Opera as performed in Tianjin. With a reputation for excellence and historical importance, Tianjin has played a key role in the rise of this art form.

Foreign visitors had the rare opportunity to:

Dress in authentic Tianjin Opera costumes
Share the stage with professional performers, engaging directly with China’s classical theatrical heritage

🧭 Tianjin: Tradition Meets Transformation

As a rising northern hub, Tianjin stands out for its successful blending of:

Ancient culture and modern tourism
Local craftsmanship and global attention
Regional flavors and international hospitality

Whether it’s street art, opera, food, or architecture, Tianjin offers a multidimensional experience, making it one of China’s fastest-rising cultural travel destinations.

📄 Source: Aydınlık News – Tianjin: The Rising Star of the North
🖊 Author: Özgür Altınbaş
🗓 Date Published: June 18, 2025