Ancient Cultural Street Scenic Area (Hometown of Jinmen)

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Scenic Spot Introduction

Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street, originally built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424), is the most famous cultural tourism street in Tianjin, with a total length of 680 meters. Centered around the Temple of the Queen of Heaven, the street gathers many traditional buildings in the style of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, serving as an important window to showcase Tianjin’s historical culture and folk customs.

The building complex of Ancient Cultural Street is mainly in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, adopting the traditional “shop front and workshop back” layout. With gray bricks and tiles, carved beams and painted rafters, it exhibits the unique style of traditional commercial streets in the north. There are more than 200 well-preserved buildings in the street, among which the Temple of the Queen of Heaven and Shi Family Compound are listed as cultural relics protection units in Tianjin.

As an important carrier of Tianjin’s historical culture, Ancient Cultural Street has witnessed the development process of Tianjin from being a key transportation hub to a modern metropolis. This place was once the largest water transportation terminal in the north and one of the earliest commercial centers in Tianjin. Many century-old brands, such as Clay Figure Zhang and Yangliuqing New Year Pictures, are still preserved in the street, inheriting Tianjin’s unique folk art.

Ancient Cultural Street has been rebuilt many times in history. The most recent large-scale renovation was in 2003, restoring the historical style of the street according to the principle of “restoring the old as it was”. Nowadays, it is not only a great place for Tianjin citizens to relax and shop but also an important window to understand Tianjin’s history and culture. With over 5 million visitors annually, it is one of the most representative cultural tourism landmarks in Tianjin.

Various traditional cultural activities, such as the Spring Festival temple market, the Lantern Festival, and the Dragon Boat Race on the Dragon Boat Festival, are regularly held in the street, allowing visitors to experience Tianjin’s folk culture firsthand.

Spot Introduction

This place also serves as an important exhibition platform for intangible cultural heritage, where many traditional handicrafts have been inherited and developed.

Must-visit Attractions

  1. Tianhou Temple

    • The largest Mazu Temple in Tianjin
    • Architectural style of the Qing Dynasty
    • Suggested visiting time: 45 minutes

  2. Shi Family Courtyard

    • Typical Tianjin residential architecture
    • Exhibits old Tianjin lifestyle
    • Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes

  3. Yangliuqing New Year Painting Gallery

    • Display of traditional New Year paintings
    • Opportunity to experience New Year painting production
    • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes

  4. Jinmen Hometown Museum

    • Exhibition of Tianjin’s history and culture
    • Restoration of old Tianjin life scenes
    • Suggested visiting time: 50 minutes

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route

    • South Gate → Tianhou Temple → Shi Family Courtyard → Yangliuqing New Year Painting Gallery → Jinmen Hometown Museum
    • It is suggested to take your time and immerse yourself in traditional culture

  2. Visiting Schedule

    • Shops start opening after 10 am
    • There are fewer visitors in the early evening
    • Special cultural activities are held during holidays

  3. Practical Tips

    • Bargaining is acceptable, but don’t overdo it
    • It is recommended to try traditional snacks
    • Perfect place to buy unique Tianjin gifts

Transportation Guide

  • Subway: Take Line 1 or Line 6 to Haihe Education Park Station
  • Bus: Routes 1, 4, 12, 35, 609, 610, 611, 619
  • Self-drive: It is recommended to park in the surrounding parking lots
  • Walking: Can be combined with a tour of the Italian Style District
  1. Goubuli Baozi (Steamed Buns)
  2. Erduoyan Fried Cake
  3. Jianbing Guozi (Pancake Rolled with Fritter and Egg)
  4. Tianjin Mahua (Fried Dough Twists)
  5. Guoba Cai (Crispy Rice Cake with Vegetables)
  6. Chao Gao Gan (Fried Sweet Cake)

Special Reminders

  1. High traffic during weekends and holidays
  2. Beware of pickpockets
  3. Authenticate products before purchasing
  4. Some shops do not accept credit cards
  5. Pay attention to hygiene when eating traditional snacks
  6. Avoid photographing merchants’商品 when taking pictures
  7. No photography is allowed inside Tianhou Temple.