Fascinating changes in 25 yrs as Scottish photographer revisits Binhai New Area

Equally amazing in design is the Cultural Centre’s exterior, particularly its eastern side where a dark reddish metallic facade gives a strong, robust feel to the building. Standing there, looking across extensive parklands, beyond the impressive local governmental compound rises a new icon of Binhai, the recently completed 530.4 meter tall, 97 floor CTF (Chow Tai Fook) Building. Vase-like in shape, known as the ‘Diamond of the North’, it was designed by internationally renowned Brian Lee, Consulting Partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP. The tower has already received numerous top architectural awards. One of the world’s tallest buildings, it is rapidly becoming an icon symbolizing contemporary Binhai  and is particularly stunning when lit up at night.

Binhai is not all about futuristic architecture and economic activity. As already mentioned, considerable work has gone into environmental projects, creating excellent areas where locals can relax and recreate. Before departing Binhai on my most recent visit, there was the opportunity to visit beautiful Taifeng Park. Amazingly, years ago it was a wasteland with extensive toxic industrial deposits -- a memory of the area’s past. That was all meticulously cleaned up and regenerated into a landscape of lakes, trees, flower beds and more. Personally I delighted in wandering around, talking with and photographing people in their everyday lives. It was a very friendly, welcoming end to discovering more of Binhai.

This latest visit was organized through China Daily’s recent  ‘Explore Tianjin’ tour --  although I am very familiar with the city it proved to be an opportunity to learn and see more of  Tianjin, and to discover some new and indeed fascinating aspects which I feel are well worth visiting.