Tianjin: A Melting :Pot of Cultures

Tianjin: A Melting :Pot of Cultures

Quanyechang, in the heart of Tianjin’s commercial district, has some of China’s most remarkable 20thcentury architecture.

TIANJIN used to be the most westernized city in North China. It was the home of renowned writer Zhang Ailing, who spent a lot of time in her Frenchstyle garden during her idyllic childhood. It was the former residence of Liang Qichao, scholar and one of China’s first democrats. The longestrunning Chinese language newspaper Ta Kung Pao and the prestigious Peiyang University (now Tianjin University) were founded in this city.

Regional characteristics display marked differences. Long a capital city, Beijing boasts an imperial dignity, a generosity of spirit, and a hub of culture and learning. Shanghai, one of China’s frst international commercial ports, upholds modern thinking and is a commercial hotspot with a certain sophistication. Sitting comfortably between these two styles is Tianjin, positioned at the gateway to Beijing. Historically a city of migrants divided into nine different international concessions, Tianjin blends the cultures of northern and southern China with international influences, mixing foreign elegance with down-to-earth locals.

It is diffcult to pin down the personality of Tianjin people. A confluence of rivers and a busy sea port, the city is a melting pot of ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign cultures, and is inhabited by people from all walks of life.

The Five-Avenue Area is a popular location for wedding photos.

Comic Folk Culture

In Chinese, the name Tianjin means the “Emperor’s ferry.” When emperors lived in Beijing, Tianjin functioned as a guard of the Imperial City. The city was frst developed as a fortress. Canals boosted its economy and consequently attracted increasing numbers of migrants to settle there. Boatmen, businessmen, soldiers, farmers, and migrant workers all resided here, creating a population structured differently to other cities; one dominated by the middle and lower classes, including soldiers, craftsmen and a large number of unemployed people.

These residents came from different parts of China and all had their own customs, religions, art, and cuisines. This mixture formed Tianjin’s uniquely open, inclusive, and diverse style. The Tianjin philosophy of life can be summed up in a quote from a flm depicting a typical Tianjin family, in which the main character says: “My mother believes a family can have a very happy life just so long as there isn’t a single member in hospital or prison!” Simple and pragmatic but also displaying humour and passion.

Tianjin people are well-known for their humor. In the old days, folks tended to banter or make fun of themselves to get a little relief from their hard life. Tianjin people have a reputation as good talkers who very cleverly express their humor and tolerance. Even the most everyday situations can become stand-up comedy. Listening to Tianjin people talk is hilarious because they are so good at using jokes to show their intelligence.

Quanyechang, a commercial center in Tianjin, is the center for one of China’s more intangible forms of cultural heritage: cross-talk. This sort of comedy, with its linguistic witticisms and wordplay, is widely popular in China.

European Architecture in the Old Concessions

In the old concession districts, European-style buildings with gardens make interesting places to visit.

After the Second Opium War ended in 1860, the big powers including Great Britain, France, the U.S., Germany, and Japan established concessions in Tianjin. Over the next few years, Russia, Bel-