Italian Style Street

Italian Style District

The Italian Style District is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Italian Style Street is an important part of the Italian-Austrian Style Street Area, a well-known historical and architectural conservation district in Tianjin.

Many films, such as *City of Life and Death* and *Sophie's Revenge*, have also been filmed here.

1. The Origin of Italian Style Street:

In the early 20th century, Tianjin was home to concessions established by eight different countries. Foreigners built numerous European-style buildings here for their offices and residences. A century later, if you visit Tianjin today and stroll along the Haihe River, you can still see these diverse architectural styles. In 1900, following the failure of the Boxer Rebellion, the beleaguered Qing government and representatives from 11 countries signed the humiliating *Boxer Protocol*. Italy took this opportunity to secure the right to establish a concession in Tianjin. The Italian concession was located between the current North Jingqiao Bridge and Tianjin Railway Station, behind the Ocean Building (where our office is located). Over 100 years ago, this area was a salt-evaporation site. In 1902, Italy appointed a Marine Corps lieutenant named Filete as the project manager responsible for the planning and construction of the Italian concession. This ordinary Italian thus left an indelible mark on Tianjin’s history. True to their heritage as descendants of the Roman Empire, Italians showcased their finest architectural talents even in a foreign land. During the concession’s development, a complete road network and public utilities were built around Marco Polo Square, with buildings primarily designed as Italian garden villas. Strict regulations ensured no two street-front buildings were identical. In late 1998, as part of the comprehensive development of the Haihe River, the Italian Style District was launched. Leveraging the area’s unique historical and cultural resources, the project aimed to create a vibrant, Italian-themed destination integrating tourism, commerce, leisure, entertainment, and cultural exhibitions. The development is now nearing completion, and a brand-new scenic area will soon be unveiled to the world.

2. Classic Architecture: 1) Marco Polo Square: Filete’s ingenuity lay in naming the square not after an invader, but after Marco Polo, a historical figure connecting China and Italy. The central square of the concession was named “Marco Polo Square,” a name that has endured to this day. In contrast, other streets with foreign-sounding names have long been renamed by us—the true masters of this land. The surrounding villas feature Italian-style turrets, including round and square pavilions, cylindrical and square columns, adorned with round arches, flat arches, pointed arches, continuous arches, and pendant columns. These turrets, varying in height, form a beautiful architectural space and represent the only remaining authentic Mediterranean architectural complex in Asia. During festivals, these turrets were once "oiled and lit" to recreate the grandeur of ancient Roman temples. 2) Boccia Club: Not far from Marco Polo Square stands a grand tower-like structure, once a venue for competitive sports that secretly served as a gambling den—the largest casino in Tianjin. Foreigners called it the “Boccia Club,” while locals dubbed it the “Ruigong Furnace,” as countless people lost their fortunes and livelihoods here. In the 1930s, when Japan occupied Tianjin, many Italian expatriates were detained here without food for days. Locals secretly smuggled food in when Japanese soldiers weren’t looking. One wonders what those once-arrogant foreigners thought of the Chinese people they had once oppressed. 3) Italian Barracks: Tianjin once hosted concessions from eight countries and military garrisons from nine. The heart of the mighty Qing Empire was under constant surveillance—how could it not feel stifling? The Italian Barracks are the best-preserved foreign barracks in Tianjin. The ground floor housed public facilities, while the upper levels were soldier dormitories. At its peak, 999 Italian officers and soldiers were stationed here. Later, the barracks were used by Japanese, American, and other forces.

The "Luo" Square, as it was named, has retained its name to this day, while other streets with foreign-sounding names have long been unceremoniously changed to our own. The masters of this land will always be the Chinese. Around the square, the villa rooftops are mostly adorned with Italian-style belvederes, varying in shape—round pavilions and square pavilions, cylindrical and square columns—each ornamented with round arches, flat arches, pointed arches, continuous arches, and hanging columns. These belvederes, staggered in height, form a beautiful architectural space and represent the only remaining authentic Mediterranean architectural complex in Asia. These belvederes were used during festivals to be "oiled and lit," recreating the splendor of ancient Roman temples.

3. Former Residences of Celebrities: Thanks to its beautiful environment, well-developed facilities, and rich cultural atmosphere, the Italian concession attracted many cultural figures. Nearly all influential Chinese personalities from the early 20th century had ties to Tianjin.

Figure 1: Liang Qichao, Advocate of the Hundred Days’ Reform – After the failure of the 1898 Reform Movement, Liang Qichao fled to Japan. Following the Xinhai Revolution, he returned to China and, in 1912, purchased land and commissioned Italian architect Piroonyo to design his residence, later adding a study called the “Ice-Drinking Studio.” Liang wrote influential works such as *Research Methods in Chinese History* and *An Overview of Qing Dynasty Academia* here, living for 15 years until his death.

Figure 2: Yuan Shikai, the Short-Lived Emperor – Known for training the New Army at Xiaozhan in Tianjin, Yuan rose swiftly in rank. After the Xinhai Revolution, he became the first president of the Republic of China. Yet, unsatisfied with the presidency, he sought to become emperor—an act seen as out of step with the times, leading to his infamy. His Tianjin residence had unique features: a “hiding room” and an “escape route.” The hiding room, behind a small door on the right side of the second floor, led to a reinforced concrete staircase with iron railings, connecting to the attic above and the basement below. Closing the door concealed the access entirely. The escape route involved an iron staircase from the third-floor pavilion, leading directly to the back garden and an exit. Additionally, an octagonal room was designed between the second and third floors, with windows facing the Haihe River—regardless of the tide, the water seemed to flow into the room, symbolizing endless wealth flowing into the Yuan family. Today, the site is a restaurant called “Shoufu Restaurant.”

Basement: If the small door is closed, the way up or down cannot be found. The "escape route" is an iron staircase located in a pavilion on the third floor, leading directly to the back garden and exit, allowing one to escape from there. In addition, between the second and third floors of this building, there is also a specially designed

octagonal room, with several windows facing the Haihe River. No matter whether the tide is rising or falling, the river water seems to flow into the octagonal building, symbolizing endless wealth flowing into the Yuan family. Now, this place has become a restaurant called the "Shoufu Restaurant."

Figure 3: Zhang Mingqi, the Executioner of the Revolution – As Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi during the Qing Dynasty, Zhang suppressed the “Guangzhou Uprising” led by Huang Xing, orchestrating the deaths of the “72 Martyrs of Huanghuagang.” After the Xinhai Revolution, he supported Yuan Shikai’s bid for emperor. When the Japanese invaded, he openly defected, earning the scornful nickname “a puppet under foreign protection,” evading punishment. Yet, he wasn’t entirely villainous—records show that during his tenure as Guangxi governor, he implemented reforms, trained the New Army, developed railways and mining, promoted education, introduced agricultural technologies, and founded the Guangxi Bank. His residence, located at Marco Polo Square, is an Italian-style villa. If suppressing revolution reflected his political loyalty, surrendering to the Japanese was utterly despicable. He died in 1945, as Imperial Japan crumbled—perhaps realizing that while one might evade human retribution, divine justice is inescapable.

Figure 4: Wu Yulin, Minister of Communications – A top student at the Beiyang Naval Academy, Wu studied in Germany, becoming an expert in shipbuilding and machinery. Returning to China, he served as a Navy Department official and later as Minister of Communications, contributing to naval reforms. After the fall of the Zhili Clique, he retired to Tianjin, first living in this house before selling it to Tang Yulin, chairman of Rehe Province. During the War of Resistance, he refused Japanese pressure to collaborate, preserving his integrity—though he passed away in 1944, never seeing victory. Wu also did good deeds, such as organizing relief efforts during the 1939 Tianjin floods. His Italian concession residence, on Jianguo Road, features Baroque-style Renaissance architecture with granite walls and a grand interior.

Figure 5: Liu Ran Gong, National Hero – Founder of the *New Tianjin Daily*, Liu was outraged by Japan’s September 18th Incident in 1931, using his newspaper to advocate for resistance. After Tianjin fell, the paper published a farewell edition, refusing Japanese manipulation. Tortured to death by Japanese agents, his final words were: “I… loyal to my country… died… to leave… a glorious name…” His former residence, a connected two-story Italian-style building, is also the only intact site of the *New Tianjin Daily*, a renowned modern Tianjin newspaper.

Resistance against Japan and saving the nation: After Tianjin fell, the New Tianjin Daily published an extra issue, bidding farewell to the people of Tianjin and vowing not to be used by the Japanese. He was tortured to death by Japanese secret agents and, before his death, uttered the line from an opera: "I... am loyal to my country... I give my all... to die... and leave behind... a good name... in history..." The former residence of Liu Ran-gong is an Italian-style two-story connected building and is also the only well-preserved site of a renowned modern Tianjin newspaper—the New Tianjin Daily.

..."to die... and yet... leave behind... a name... immortalized... in history..." The former residence of Liu Ran-gong is an Italian-style two-story connected building and also the only well-preserved modern-era site in the city that was once the location of the renowned Tianjin newspaper — the former site of the "New Tianjin Newspaper."

Beyond these celebrity homes, the area also hosted residences of playwright Cao Yu, calligrapher Hua Shikui, education official Lu Muzhai, Premier Duan Qirui, Japanese ambassador Zhang Zongxiang, Bank of China president Li Shiwei, and over 30 other notable figures from modern Chinese history. However, original addresses have vanished, and tracing these homes is challenging—perhaps once the Italian Style District is fully completed, visitors can glimpse the legacies of these influential figures.

Lu Muzhai, the Education Commissioner of Zhili Province,

Duan Qirui, the Premier of the State Council,

Zhang Zongxiang, the Minister to Japan,

Li Shiwei, the President of the Bank of China, and the former residences of more than 30 other notable figures in modern Chinese history. However, the original street numbers have long vanished. Tracing these historic residences on my own is beyond my capability. Perhaps once the Italian Style Street is fully completed, everyone will have the chance to glimpse the figures who once influenced China.

after, everyone will be able to see the great figures who shaped China's history.

Suggested Duration

1-2 hours

Transportation

Direct buses include routes 5, 8, 27, 634, 638, 638 Shuttle, 639, 645, 645 Shuttle, 663, 672, 676, 802, 806, 806 Shuttle, 832, 836, 905, and 961.

Admission

Free

Opening Hours

All day

Address: Area between Wujing Road, Shengli Road, Bo'ai Road, and Jianguo Road, Hebei District, Tianjin