"Three Flavors Tour" Illuminates Tianjin's Cultural and Tourism Economy, Moving from "Customer Source" to "Destination"

Author: Xinhua Daily Telegraph reporter Liu Weizhen

How would you describe the city in front of you when you first met Tianjin?

Strolling along both sides of the coastal river, seemingly diverse elements may leave a unique "first impression" for tourists - there are both local fireworks and "worldly wonders", as well as humanistic sentiments and the intersection of China and the West; Here, there are both skyscrapers and fashionable commercial districts, as well as songs of rice and fishing, and local thoughts.

Tianjin, adjacent to the Bohai Sea, has beautiful scenery and distinct four seasons, but the tourism industry often appears lukewarm due to its less prominent characteristics. Previously, this was an important tourist destination, and during holidays, citizens always thought of "going to the distant places to see"; Since the beginning of this year, "Northwest Corner Morning Post" and "Dongjiang Port Sunrise" have frequently appeared in the circle, and landmarks such as Tianjin Eye and National Marine Museum have become even more eye-catching.

With Tianjin accelerating the construction of a distinctive cultural and tourism destination city, cultural history has become the root and soul that connects the city's natural resources, architectural style, and scenic landmarks. The trendy travel methods such as "slow travel" and Citywalk are more in line with the urban temperament, allowing the fusion beauty of "selling pearls" to surface.

Strolling around carefully, there will definitely be a unique cave in Jincheng. The local flavor of folk customs, the aftertaste of history, and the charm of industry, the harmonious unity of the "three flavors" is like a poem, making the "interest" of tourists in traveling stronger.

On May 1st, a Haihe cruise ship passed through the opened Liberation Bridge. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

Adhere to the local atmosphere and experience the folk and local flavor

On September 1st, the 13th China Tourism Industry Expo opened in Tianjin. At the meeting, a specialty food exhibition area attracted many visitors to follow the taste. Under the sign of "Tasting You Early", breakfast options such as Guoba cuisine, pancakes and fruits, and beef are all available and fragrant, as if the miniature version of Jincheng's "Carbon Water Business District" has been moved to the exhibition area.

Tianjin, which connects the north and south by land and the east and west by water, has a superior geographical location and has been one of the commercial centers in northern China since ancient times. The convenient transportation, bustling docks, and long folk history have shaped a diverse and inclusive culinary culture in Jincheng.

When it comes to Tianjin, many people recognize the northwest corner the most. The northwest corner is located in Hongqiao District, Tianjin, adjacent to Tianjin West Station. There are a total of 225 merchants engaged in food business in the region, including some century old shops. The breakfast specialty is "large quantity, affordable, and comfortable to eat".

On July 11th, in the northwest corner of Tianjin, celebrating the West Hutong, merchants were making aged tea soup. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

From wandering the streets and setting up stalls to now having clean and tidy shops, Liu Yushun, the inheritor of Tianjin's intangible cultural heritage project, has been engaged in the production of pancakes and fruits for over 110 years in his family for five generations. The carefully crafted pancake fruits, including ingredients selection, drying, sauce making, pulping, and frying, have left a deep impression on many tourists.

"In recent years, there have been more and more 'fans' in stores," Liu Yushun said with a smile. In order to make everyone eat hot and comfortable, the family often has to work from 5 in the morning to 12 in the evening.

In order to ensure that citizens and tourists have a good time eating, Tianjin has launched a series of service measures. "We have meticulously created a 'Northwest Corner Specialty Food Map', clearly indicating the food coordinates, emergency shelters, etc., for the convenience of tourists to read. We have also added leisure seats and mobile restrooms on the roadside, formed volunteer service teams, etc., and done a good job in order guidance and service guarantee." Liu Tao, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Lingdangge Street in Hongqiao District, Tianjin, said that currently, the core area of the Northwest Corner - Huanqing West Hutong is undergoing wall painting construction to further improve the street's appearance and enrich the tourism experience.

Tianjin Weiben is a water and land dock, with residents from all over the world and vastly different personalities. The life atmosphere of firewood, rice, oil, and salt, as well as the rich and colorful folk arts, are exactly one of the major characteristics of Old Tianjin.

Not far east from the "Food Street", you can see the bustling Tianjin Drum Tower and Ancient Culture Street. Jade pendants, bracelets of calligraphy and painting, coins and stamps, the "Drum Tower Collection" on Thursday is always full of stalls and crowded, making it a must visit destination for many leisurely Tianjin people every week.

A cultural performance filmed live on June 27th at the 14th Summer Davos Forum Cultural Night. Photo by Zhao Zishuo, journalist from Xinhua News Agency

Walking through the streets where there are talented people and hidden dragons and tigers, one may even encounter skilled craftsmen. That day coincided with the "opening of the festival", and Wei Guoqiu, the fourth generation "leader" of "Kite Wei", quickly squeezed through the crowd and turned a few steps into a small building on the street side. He opened the door of the house with a plaque hanging "Changqing Zhai Wei Ji Kite".

In 2008, "Kite Wei" was listed as a representative project of national intangible cultural heritage. Its production techniques are known for its diverse shapes, realistic painting, and smooth flight. Vivid eagles and peacocks, meticulously drawn fairy shepherds... Walking into this elegant studio, various kite artworks are hung on the walls, and there are also many "mini kites" that are more than ten centimeters or even a few centimeters long on the table, with a swallow shaped ink painting, as soft as bones.

Wei Guoqiu said that many overseas friends came specifically to Tianjin, hoping to have artistic and cultural exchanges with "Kite Wei".

"Nowadays, the determining factor that attracts young tourists to visit a city is not solely traditional natural and historical cultural resources, nor are they just landmark buildings, but more personalized and diverse cultural and leisure resources." Dai Bin, the director of the China Tourism Research Institute, said at the 13th China Tourism Industry Expo that incorporating cross-talk sketches and mass art into daily scenes, as well as intangible cultural heritage that inherits lifestyles, can become a priority interface and new driving force for the integration of culture and tourism.

Viewers check in at a landscape wall at the 13th China Tourism Industry Expo. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

Observing Western style buildings and touching the aftertaste of history

Carved beams and painted rafters is magnificent, and the grey tile stone steps are elegant and solemn. Walking into the atrium of King Qing's Mansion in Tianjin, the bright lamps and colored glaze bring tourists over the years of history, and the lingering sound of the old silk and bamboo still seems to ring the beam.

"Looking at Tianjin through the ups and downs of a century," this year's centenary Qing Wang Mansion is one of the "representative works" of Tianjin's western-style buildings. From 1925 to 1947, this was the residence of Prince Zai Zhen, the last prince of the Qing Dynasty. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the former Wang Fu became the office of institutions such as the Tianjin Branch of the Sino Soviet Friendship Association.

In order to allow more tourists to cross the gate of history and trace back to the past, Tianjin has launched the protection and repair work of small western-style buildings, including the magnificent Qing Wang Mansion.

Nowadays, the "modern architecture" at that time has transformed into a "museum" to record urban history, and the "backyard" of the royal mansion has also become a popular spot for young people to take photos and check in.

"We hope to showcase the rich stories and humanistic spirit contained in the Wang Mansion through its furnishings and meticulous explanations to visitors," said the relevant person in charge of Tianjin Historical Architecture Sorting Co., Ltd.

From Minyuan Square to the old residences of celebrities, many tourists wander around the Five Avenue block for sightseeing during the day, and stay inside the Western style buildings at night, feeling the pulse of the small buildings and experiencing retro life.

On April 29th, in the ice room of the Liang Qichao Memorial Hall, theater actors and tourists engaged in an interactive and immersive performance. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

Li Wenshuang, a designer born in the 1990s, operates multiple "Western style Mansions and Homestays" on Fifth Avenue. She graduated from the School of Architecture at Tianjin University and applied design concepts to the interior of Xiaoyang Building, determined to create an "experiential" living scene, allowing more tourists to interpret the connotation and beauty of the building.

"Since the beginning of the new year, the occupancy rate of homestays has been relatively high, attracting many tourists from other places to visit. During the May Day holiday, the 33 homestays we operated were even fully booked," said Li Wenshuang.

Since the operation of the homestay, many guests have come to make an appointment with the Western style buildings. "A guest said to me, 'The old house is renovated, and emotions are born on the Five Avenues.' Living here, even the creaking old stairs have become a wonderful music of time." Li Wenshuang said that the guest's "likes" made her full of motivation to promote the charm of Western style buildings and tell architectural stories through design.

With the theme of showcasing historical style, Tianjin has cultivated a unique atmosphere of integrating commerce, culture, tourism, and residence in districts such as Wuda Avenue, Jiefang North Road, and Italian style district in recent years, allowing tourists to no longer "see flowers in the mist" and better unleash the value of small western-style buildings.

During this year's May Day holiday, Tianjin's first "Italian Art Home" appeared at the southwest corner of Marco Polo Square in the Italian style district of Tianjin, providing various unique features such as Italian language art workshops, design, and handcrafting. The National Skateboarding Open Challenge Tianjin Station and the National Style Handdrawn Illustration Art Exhibition... a series of "youthful style" activities have also made the neighborhood frequently "brush the screen out of circles".

Liu Zongjin, Director of the Management Committee of the Haihe Italian Style District in Tianjin, said that holding various activities such as exhibitions of Chinese and foreign art, cultural performances, etc., allows tourists to experience international cultural experiences in Tianjin, and better plays the role of the Italian style district as a window to promote cultural exchange between China and foreign countries and improve the level of city opening up to the outside world.

On April 29th, tourists visited Tianjin Ancient Culture Street at night. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

Follow the "show belt" and feel the industrial charm

As night falls, a gentle breeze brushes against my face, and waves of joy and laughter come from the shore of the Haihe River. On the banks of Bei'an Bridge, many residents dance gracefully to soothing music; On the Haihe River, boats carrying travelers shuttle between the paintings.

For Shi Haoqi, the head of Tianjin Haoqi Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. who works in the Mian3 Creative District of Tianjin, the turn of summer and autumn is his favorite season. "The scenery here is beautiful, and opening the doors and windows leads to the Haihe River. In the evening, not only can you meet citizens and tourists who come to play in the park, but you can also enjoy the comfortable and peaceful walk by the river."

The Tianjin Cotton 3 Creative Block was renovated from the original Tianjin Third Cotton Textile Factory. A hundred years ago, this was a textile factory where machines roared and workers were busy; A hundred years later, this place will become a trendy street where youth gather and creativity collide.

"Tianjin Third Cotton Spinning Factory was once one of the 'main forces' in Tianjin's textile industry." Chen Qiang, General Manager of Tianjin Cotton Three Creative Enterprise Management Service Co., Ltd., recounted the history of the neighborhood. "There was a saying in China's textile industry that' the blue sky 'referred to the three major cities of Shanghai, Qingdao, and Tianjin. During the peak period of development, Tianjin had a population of about 300000 people engaged in the textile industry."

After discontinuing production, the old factory building was once idle, and the surrounding area was overgrown with weeds. In February 2013, a renovation project awakened the abandoned factory building. "I hope to preserve the original appearance while also achieving creative renewal of the old factory buildings in the old block; to preserve history, inherit industrial culture, and better realize commercial value." Chen Qiang said.

After graduation, Shi Haoqi and several friends who love culture and music jointly established a team in Tianjin to plan cultural and artistic exchanges and exhibition activities. Four years ago, the team was moved by the industrial charm and youthful atmosphere of the neighborhood, and officially moved the office to the "old factory".

With the continuous entry of new formats and the renovation of old factory functions, the Cotton 3 Creative District has also kept up with the pace of urban renewal, achieving revitalization and utilization. After several years of development, the block has formed major sectors such as creative design industry, new media industry, e-commerce industry, and more than 180 enterprises have settled in; Holding over 300 events such as the retro market and Tianjin Fashion Week, attracting approximately 500000 visitors annually.

On May 16th, visitors visited the "Van Gogh's World" panoramic digital art interactive exhibition at the Tianjin Digital Art Museum. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue

As one of the cities with the most complete industrial system in China, industrial manufacturing is the foundation of Tianjin, and industrial relics are a precious treasure that condenses historical memories and civic emotions. In order to better preserve the city's roots, Tianjin has repeatedly discussed and formulated plans to explore the cultural and tourism value of old factories in various ways, showcase cultural connotations, and transform the "industrial rust belt" into an "industrial display belt" and "life display belt".

At the end of last year, the commercial complex Tianjin Jinmaohui, launched on the basis of the original site of Tianjin First Thermal Power Plant, was officially unveiled, achieving the organic integration of old factory elements and new commercial formats; In the Tianjin Xiangsi Creative Industry Park, which was transformed from the old site of the Fourth Rubber Factory in Tianjin, the "Xiangsi Book Bar" has become a new space for urban reading

Creating tourism through culture and highlighting culture through tourism. The transformation from a "customer source" to a "destination" not only relies on beautiful scenery, but also on deep exploration. Nowadays, focusing on the "five major IPs" of mountains, rivers, seas, western-style buildings, and fireworks, Tianjin is making every effort to do a good job in "string beads into chains, connect into pieces", continuously strengthen top-level design, strengthen the creation of distinctive scenes, promote the increment and efficiency of cultural and tourism projects, and create cultural and tourism projects with "urban memory".

"Play the Haihe brand well, make good use of the scenery of the Western style buildings, recite the classics of mountains and seas, and do a good job in integration." The relevant person in charge of Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism said that in the future, Tianjin will continue to improve its new product system, build a new development pattern, cultivate new development momentum, improve the consumption environment, shape a beautiful new image, and strive to become a brand new well-known tourist destination.