Tianjin’s architecture tells of legendary history

Northern metropolis' past is preserved in its varied, impressive structures, Wang Xin reports.

Like an old man of great personal charisma who has many stories to tell, well-preserved buildings that have witnessed the ups and downs of the centuries shine through in a modern city and offer charm for visitors.

Just half an hour away from Beijing by high-speed train, Tianjin is home to architectural heritage that seems to take visitors back in time.

The historical buildings, either designed by overseas or Chinese architects, are like a stage, where different people come and go, leaving their own stories.

Legendary figures whose deeds have historical weight helped the buildings to become legendary themselves.

The Astor Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Tianjin, is a shining example, full of charm and character.

Founded by a British missionary in the summer of 1863, the property was originally an inn and warehouse, initially used to facilitate shipment.

Due to its foreign investment and close links with political dignitaries at the time, the hotel has since become a prime venue for upper-class social gatherings and diplomatic activities.

The British consulate used to hold most of its meetings there and the US consulate was first established within the hotel, not relocating until 1929. Several international treaties have been signed in the storied property.

Noted guests include pioneering Chinese revolutionary and political leader Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) and celebrated Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang (1894-1961). Many historic figures have left their footprints in the hotel, according to a museum guide.

Li Hongzhang, a political heavyweight in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) who tried to modernize China and was in charge of foreign af airs, was a regular visitor to the hotel. Thus, The Astor Hotel has long been connected with him.

Li, born in Anhui province, lived in the northern coastal municipality for three decades.

While Li has been a controversial figure for his involvement in China's foreign affairs, his efforts in introducing Western civilization to China was of far-reaching significance in shaping the city's development, Shang Keqiang, a professor at the school of history and culture at Tianjin Normal University, told Daily News, a Tianjin-based newspaper.

China's last emperor, Aisin-gioro Pu Yi (1906-1967), wrote in his autobiography From Emperor to Citizen that his most joyful period in his life was spent in Tianjin, when the young man who was forced to leave the imperial palace in Beijing seemed to find a new life there. He often joined parties and danced at the hotel. His former residence, Garden of Serenity, remains a major attraction in the city.

The hotel was where the young marshal Chang Hsueh-liang and his lover Zhao Yidi met for the first time. His former three-storied residence still stands in the city as a popular tourist destination, where female receptionists are dressed in the 1920s and 1930s style, and the original home appliances and furniture have been preserved as if their owners were still there.

About 15 minutes' drive away is another must-go tourism site famed for its well-preserved Western-style buildings, called the Five Great Avenues by local residents.

Situated in downtown Tianjin, they were designed by architects from different countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain, with some building materials being especially imported.

Traveling in a horse-drawn carriage will provide a quick glimpse into their history.

Many of the buildings were the private residences of celebrities in the political, academic, business and entertainment circles in the first half of the last century. Nowadays they serve as public venues.

Another group of historical buildings in the city's Hebei district are mostly in the Italian architectural style. Many of them have turned into restaurants, cafes and bookstores.

Wandering along the busy alleys lined with glossy booths or food stalls, you might feel the sharp contrast between the solemn buildings and the bustling businesses.

Different from the Western-style buildings, Shi Family's Mansion on the outskirts of Tianjin represents a typical local notable family's dwelling built during the Qing Dynasty in North China. It is also packed with tourists, ready to capture the details of its design with their smartphone cameras.