Ancient Cultural Street, a street full of Tianjin

Known for its spectacular architectural sites, myriad folk arts and crafts, rich cultural setting and mouth-watering local finger food, the Ancient Cultural Street of Tianjin is a marvel to explore on foot. Situated on the western banks of the River Haihe, the busy streets have the Tianhou Palace at its centre. The palace was originally constructed in the year 1326 and is recognized as one of the only three Mazu Temples in the entire world.

Today the Museum of Tianjin folk customs and traditions, the palace houses an array of products, crafts and ancient relics dating back hundreds of years. Another prominent structure of this colourful district is the Yuhuang cabinet, an edifice built between 1368 and 1644, during the Ming Dynasty. Considered the oldest structure of the Ancient Cultural Street its uppermost floor offers a bird’s eye view of the roads below.

This cultural site is placed within the Nankai District and was declared open officially in 1986. The walkway starting from Gongbei Avenue in the North traverses 0.36 miles towards Gongang Avenue in the South. Sixteen feet wide, the cultural street is full of shops and businesses. The most notable feature that impresses most visitors is the depictions of Qing Dynasty’s architecture present throughout the constructions of the street.

A must-see along the way is the Tong Qingil, an ancient residential dwelling that combines the best architectural traditions of the east and the west. The walkways are quaint and picturesque, with buildings made of pretty blue bricks, doors and window screens painted in brilliant shades and patterns, figurines of historical and legendary personalities from myth and lore, exquisite hand drawn birds and flowers, charming bookstores selling Chinese classics and a multitude of local and traditional handcrafts.

During this holiday stay at serviced apartments Tianjin and have a taste of what is most popular among the many that walk down these roads. Enjoy the cloisonné, Yang Liuging New Year paintings, Chinese pottery, Niren Zhang painted sculpture, jade curios, Goubuli steamed dumplings, tea soup and Erduoyan Fried Glutinous Cakes. The Somerset International Building Tianjin is one of the best Tianjin accommodation options and is famous for the luxurious lodging options and impeccable service it offers.