Ancient Culture Street

Ancient Culture Street featuring a city, street scenes and markets
Sample local dishes, admire recreated traditional architecture and see shoes from nearly every era of Chinese history as you explore this popular street.

Ancient Culture Street is one Tianjin’s best-known tourist attractions. Lined with more than 100 stores, this street is a lively place to shop for everything from tea sets to clay figurines. Explore the shops and restaurants and discover interesting museums, temples and historic Chinese architecture.

Notice the large archways marking the northern and southern entrances to the street. Their inscriptions are the characters “jin men gu li” (hometown of Jinmen) and “gu shang gu yuan” (Art Gallery of Gushang).

During the Qing dynasty, this street was the heart of the city’s port district. In 1986, the area was renovated to recreate its former appearance during this historic era. Notice how all of the buildings lining the street feature the green walls, red columns and upturned roofs characteristic of architecture of the Qing dynasty period. Pay close attention to the buildings’ doors and windows, many of which feature paintings of animals, flowers or historical figures.

Be sure to see the Tianhou Temple, about mid-way down the street. Originally built in the 14th century, the temple is the oldest building in the city and one of only a handful of Mazu temples remaining in the world. Today the building houses the Tianjin Folklore Museum, which features historical documents, Buddhist scriptures and folk crafts.

Don’t miss the Huaxia Shoes Culture Museum, which displays shoes from almost every significant period in China’s history. Look for a stone shoe said to have been worn by ancient Chinese hero Day Yu, as well as examples of lotus shoes designed to bind women’s feet.

When you’re feeling hungry, seek out one of the many restaurants cooking Tianjin’s local specialties try tea soup or erduoyan (fried rice cakes). One of the most exciting times of year to visit this street is during the annual Huanghui Fair in March, when you can watch stilt walkers, lion dances, martial art displays and parades.

Ancient Culture Street is located at the northeast corner of Nankai District, on the Hai River’s west bank. Use the bus or subway to get to the Dong Bei Jiao stop.

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Top Ancient Culture Street Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Tianjin Riverside, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Tianjin Riverside, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Phoenix Shopping Mall A, East Haihe Road, Hebei District, Tianjin, Tianjin
Holiday Inn Tianjin Riverside, an IHG Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Tianjin Hongqiao
Courtyard by Marriott Tianjin Hongqiao
4 out of 5
No 166 Beima Road, Hongqiao District, Tianjin
Courtyard by Marriott Tianjin Hongqiao
Hyatt Regency Tianjin East
Hyatt Regency Tianjin East
4 out of 5
126 Weiguo Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, Tianjin
Hyatt Regency Tianjin East
The St Regis Tianjin Hotel
The St Regis Tianjin Hotel
5 out of 5
158 Zhangzizhong Road, Heping District, Tianjin, Tianjin
The St Regis Tianjin Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin
Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin
5 out of 5
138 Chifeng Road, Heping District, Tianjin
Four Seasons Hotel Tianjin
The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin
The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin
5 out of 5
167 Dagubei Road, Heping District, Tianjin, Tianjin
The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin
The Westin Tianjin
The Westin Tianjin
5 out of 5
No.101 Nanjing Road, Heping District, Tianjin, Tianjin
The Westin Tianjin
Shangri-La Tianjin
Shangri-La Tianjin
5 out of 5
328 Haihe East Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, Tianjin
Shangri-La Tianjin
Radisson Hotel Tianjin Aqua City
Radisson Hotel Tianjin Aqua City
4 out of 5
No 6 Jieyuan Road, Hongqiao District, Tianjin, Tianjin
Radisson Hotel Tianjin Aqua City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.