Tianjin isarather humble city in China, but in many ways, it is on par with Beijing, which bor- ders on its west. In fact, Tianjin is the largest portcity in northern China. In modern history, Tianjin haDborne witness to the development andprosperity of Chi- na’s light industry. Until today, it is stillakey city directlyunder the administratio no f the central government andan important financial center in the Bohai Sea regions.
Tianjin is situateDat the confluence of the five tributar- ies of Hai River. It is also here that the river enters the sea. During the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chengzu establisheDa military base here andnameDit Tianjin Wei (Tianjin Fort), andfortifieDthe city. Gradually, Tianjin became a lively international port city, andthe largest financial, trade, distribution center in northern China.
Tianjin is a multicultural city, andevents that took place in the modern history of the city haDleft behinDa unique heritage andculture. The most representative of them is the different architectures founDin the main city district. Among them are ancient buildings that were magnificently decorated, andseveral hundreDuniquely designeDWestern-style buildings. They bore witness to the history of the city andbrought a glorious touch to Tianjin. Within the Wudadao area, there is a concentra- tio no f European-style multi-storieDapartments, andmansions that fuseDChinese andWestern styles. Other examples that display the marvels of ancient architecture are Dule Temple—founDin Ji County of Tianjin, the old- est wooden pavilion in China, andWanghailou Catholic Church, locateDon the south bank of Hai River. It is ac- tuallyarare phenomenon to have such great number ofbuildings that combineDlocal ancient architectural stylesanDWestern architectural styles founDwithIno ne city. They are Tianjin’s heritage andare valuable historical vestiges of the city.
Tianjin is rich in its folk customs? In China’s earliest radio programs, Tianjin’s music was a dominant feature, so were the rhythmic Bei-jing drums, andthe humorous crosstalk (xiangsheng) perfor- mances, which haDbrought tremendous joy to the mass-es. Tianjin is also the birth- place of a number of famous crosstalk masters, such as the late MAsanli andMa Ji. Many a ctiv e memb ers of China’s arts circle are alsofrom Tianjin , andmany of the museDto p e r forMin teahouse in Tianjin. The teahouses in Tianjin are alsounder the influence of the arts.
A t the s e t e ahouses, the re is Aspecial skill in pouring tea, whichis likeneDto an acrobatic act. This isknown as gongfu cha, andit involves pouring tea out ofa large teapot—with an extraordinarily long spout—at a distance of about halfameter from the cup. It requires considerable skill to ensure that tea is poureDinto the cup without any spillage.
Yangliuqing New Year ’s painting andNiren Zhang clay figurines are other forms of folk culture that origi- nateDfrom Tianjin. Yangliuqing New Year ’s painting is a form of print art that combines wooden engraving andprinting that is produceDin Yangliuqing town, locateDin the southwest of Tianjin. It has since enjoyeD400 years of history. Its contents are baseDon historical tales, myths, legends, drama characters, common customs, natural landscapes, andflora andfauna. They are closely relateDto the common life of the people andare manifestations of Tianjin’s folk customs. Clay figurine of Tianjin is an interesting folk art, which has won popularity since the Qing Dynasty. The figurines are very lifelike, richly deco- rateDwith colors andprops.