Tianjin --- A Rising Economic Center in China
 

As one of four municipalities directly under the Central Government of China, Tianjin is the economic center of northern China and an international port city. Tianjin is also one famous ecological city in China. Tianjin is the center of Ring Bohai Economic Circle. Served to be the largest coastal opening city in northern China, Tianjin is the origin of Chinese modern industry, the earliest coastal opening city and the center of ocean-shipping and industry in northern China. Tianjin is 137 kilometers away from Beijing. Tianjin is the gate of Beijing. The original meaning of Tianjin is the Ferry of Emperor. Tianjin is also named Jinmen and Jingu.

Thanks to the opening of Grand Canal of the Sui Dynasty, Tianjin was officially established. During Tang dynasty (618 - 907), Tianjin acted as the port for northward transportation of grain and silks produced in southern area of China. In the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), as the important military base, Tianjin was initially constructed to be the important garrison, publicly called Tianjinwei. Tianjin has more than 600 years of history since its downtown establishment in 1404. In 1860, Tianjin was selected to be the treaty port. Western powers set up many concessions in Tianjin. Tianjin became the pioneer of the opening of north China and the base of modern China’s westernization movement. In Tianjin, Chinese military modernization and the setup of China’s railway, telegram, telephone, post, mining, modern education and jurisdiction were both began. At that time, Tianjin became the second largest business city in China and the largest business and commercial center of northern China.

Tianjin is a famous historic and cultural city. Currently there are 15 cultural sites under the national-class protection including Dule Temple, Dagukou Emplacement, Wanghailou Church and so on. Dule Temple, located in Ji County, was firstly established in the Tang Dynasty and it was reestablished in 984. This Temple is the only oldest large-scale wooden pavilion architecture. In the temple, there was a Kwan-yin statue with a height of 16 meters. This statue is also one of Chinese largest clay sculptures nowadays. Listed into the world cultural heritage, Huangyaguan ancient great wall has more than 20 balefire points with the diversities of styles. Toady, there are 113 cultural relics are under the protection of municipality. Tianjin also has many museums with different themes, up to now the total number of collections in museums is more than 530,000.

The downtown of Tianjin has the unique characteristic in architectures. Both of the traditional architectures and the westernized buildings are showing the internationalization of Tianjin. In total there are 872 buildings with the western features. It is rare that a city such as Tianiin is densely comprised of the old architectures with the traditional and western styles. So Tianjin is also titled to be the international architectural exhibition.

The traditional flavor of local cuisine also adds more reputation to Tianjin. Three Excellences of Tianjin are widely welcomed by foreigners and domestic travelers. Three excellences respectively Longzudachahu (Dragon-Mouth Big Teapot), Goubuli steamed stuffed-bun and Shibajie fried dough twist. Latterly the Erduoyan fried cake and Maobuwen dumpling were also ranked the famous snacks of Tianjin in 1997.

Actually the best food with the high reputation and the strong local characteristics of Tianjin includes: Zhangjiguoren (Zhang Family Nutlet), Caojilvrou (Cao family Donkey Meat), Lujitangmianzhagao (Lu family’s warming noodles and fried cake), Baijishuijiao (Bai Family Dumpling). Besides, Xiaobao chestnut in Tianjin is quite famous as well. Tianjin is also famous for its quyi (Chinese folk art forms including ballad singing, story telling, comic dialogues, clapper talks, cross talks etc.). Many famous masters are nationwide influential from Tianjin. Besides, Tianjin has a strong tradition of producing and creating new-year picture, and the famous place for that is Yangliuqing, which has a long-time history in this area.

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