The Western Buildings in Tianjin, China

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Tianjin, a major city 120km southeast of Beijing, is an important business center and seaport in north China. In the old days, it was a stronghold for guarding Beijing. However, the defense battles were often defeated. Since at that time, China faced stronger western superpowers.

In modern times, Tianjin once turned into a political center of China. It was even regarded as the new capital of China. From 1911 to 1937, Tianjin was the backyard of Beijing. Almost all the presents and premiers, as well as the warlords, diplomats and magnificos found their habitats in this city.

From 1860, Tianjin became a trading port. Various western buildings were constructed around the old city. Maybe in the view point of a person who lives in a western nation, the style of these buildings is rough-and-tumble, just as different buildings form China, Japan and Thailand. Of course, most Chinese cannot distinguish the difference. They commend this city could be called as a Foreign Buildings Expo.

At present, these western style buildings were protected by local government. Some of them were used as museums, hotels, shops and restaurants. Two regions, where these buildings are concentrative, had been developed as tourist areas. For Chinese, these exotic houses are attractive.

Wudadao (means five big roads) Outlandish Tourist Area have more than 2,000 garden-style foreign buildings. Most of them were build in 1920s and 1930s. Among them, there are 300 feature buildings and celebrities’ residences.  

Italian Style Area is located northwest of Tianjin Railway Station. It is the largest and best preserved Italian style buildings complex in Asia. Many of the buildings were used by China celebrities before 1937. At present this area becomes a Italian custom district. Some plazas are named as Italian celebrities, such as Marco Polo.

One can also find other sightseeing places in other streets in Tianjin. For example, the residents of the last emperor of China, the house decorated with porcelains, etc.

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