Tianjin City

　　The formation of the Tianjin region began with the opening of the Grand Canal during the Sui Dynasty. It was called "Zhigu Zhai" during the Song and Jin periods, and renamed "Haijin Town" in the Yuan Dynasty. In the second year of the Yongle reign (1404), a city was built and a garrison established, known as "Tianjin Wei."

　　　　Tianjin is both a renowned historical and cultural city and an important cradle of northern Chinese culture. Tianjin literature flourished during the early Qing Dynasty’s garden culture. Represented by the Shuixizhuang literary scene, Tianjin literature once thrived. The arts of calligraphy and fine painting in Tianjin have a long history, producing many masters since the Qing Dynasty. In terms of folk crafts, the brightly colored Yangliuqing New Year paintings, the lifelike clay sculptures of “Clay Figurine Zhang,” the vividly painted kites of “Kite Wei,” and the exquisitely carved brick art of “Brick Carving Liu” are hailed as the Four Treasures of Tianjin craftsmanship.

　　　　Tianjin boasts many special local products, including Yangliuqing New Year paintings, Clay Figurine Zhang sculptures, Fengchuan brand carpets, Wei-branded kites, paper-cuttings, black pottery, purple clay ware, and cloisonné products.

　　　　Tianjin’s architecture is characterized by the coexistence of ancient and modern buildings, earning it the title “Museum of World Architecture.” Due to its early opening as a port and the presence of nine foreign concessions, the city features distinctive small Western-style buildings, preserving over a thousand structures of various architectural styles from Eastern and Western countries built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.